ROY Keane marked his boyhood club turning 100 this year by sharing commemorative badges with his high-profile punditry pals.
The Cork native proudly divvied up three badges between Jill Scott, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher – before assuring Ian Wright that he’d deliver one for him after his next trip home.
The 53-year-old played for Rockmount before going on to Cobh Ramblers and then making his move to England with Nottingham Forest in 1990[/caption]
Neville dutifully followed his former captain’s orders by immediately pinning his badge to his top[/caption]
Appearing on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, he pulled out the bag of badges and then dove into their significance.
He explained: “I’ve got three badges here. Who’s going to take one?
“Y’know Rockmount? My team in Ireland. They’re 100 years old this year.
“”Nev and Jamie, you’ve been to it. Cobh Ramblers turned 100 a few years ago but Rockmount are this year.”
Neville and Carragher did indeed accompany him on a trip down memory lane in March 2023 while on a tour of Ireland before a live show of the smash hit podcast.
The Ireland icon was less charitable towards another former club of his though in Manchester United.
Even by his standards he unleashed a savage attack at the Red Devils’ underwhelming current vintage.
Captain Bruno Fernandes copped particular flak as the former United skipper tore into his lack of leadership capabilities – not for the first time.
“I’m watching him – sit and watch a game. Sit and watch a game with him.
“We watched him in the FA Cup, and I watched him at Everton. People pretend to be closing people down.
“Talent is not enough. Bruno is a talented player, but talent is not enough. It’s not enough, Wrighty.
“Bruno is not a fighter. You want someone going, ‘Lads, are you with me? Are you with me?’”
When Arsenal great Wright continued to defend the Portugese playmaker’s character, Keane snapped back: “We’re 15th in the league, and he’s saving them?”
MADD MAN
There was also a ramping up in hostilities between Keane and James Maddison after the latter had ‘shushed’ his most ardent critic after scoring the winner against Man United.
Keane at first appeared supportive – before delivering a sting in the tail.
He said of Maddison putting his finger to his lips: “Good on him, yeah. Absolutely no problem.”
However, Keano then got into his stride as he added: “I still go to what I said. I don’t think he does enough of that (influencing games).
“But when he scores I was at home with my cup of tea and I went, ‘Good on you’.
“No problem. If people have a go at you you answer them back.”
But then came his first cheeky dig: “I was hoping he was going to do it the other day – but he was sub against Ipswich.”
The smiling ex-hardman then turned to the camera and mimicked Maddison’s darts-style celebration.
