Since Roy Keane joined Aston Villa as the team’s assistant boss, he’s been relatively low-profile in terms of talking to the press. In Ireland this week for his other job as Martin O’Neill’s right-hand man, Keane fielded questions from the Irish press on a trio of Villa-related questions, after the Irish international team recorded a 2-0 win against Oman
The topics were: Shay Given’s situation with the national team, the big decision that Jack Grealish will have to make soon between playing for Ireland or England, and also his time at Aston Villa.
‘I really haven’t got a clue,” answered Keane, to the question of whether he knew which national team Grealish would choose.
“Obviously the manager [Martin O’Neill] has met him, I speak to him. He’s a really good player. He’s playing for the under-21’s this week and he’ll have a decision to make when he’s ready. We don’t want to put him under pressure.
Keane also played down his part in Grealish getting more time in the Villa first team, before publicly praising Grealish’s talents and suggest he could be the real deal for both Villa and at international level.
“We’d love to have him on board as he’s a really, really good player,” added Keane. “If he comes on board it will be absolutely fantastic.”
UTV
Roy Keane Villa-related interview highlights
* – Thanks to Chris Clarke for the video
Watching Villa last weekend and then Ireland against Oman, i saw something in both games that i can only presume is the stamp of Roy Keane as coach. Both teams, who have spent as long as i can remember playing physical long ball football every game, putting the ball on the ground and passing their way into opportunities. Some of the play was fantastic and both matches were very very enjoyable. Really hoping it continues.