by Sgoater1 Fri May 01, 2009 12:17 am
Keane - Id sleep outside Stevie Ireland's house to persuade him to play for Ireland !
Roy Keane has heaped the pressure on Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and said he would sleep outside Stephen Ireland’s house to persuade him to lead Ireland's World Cup campaign.
The Manchester City midfielder's self-imposed exile following his controversial exit two years ago when he claimed two grandmothers had died. Trapattoni and his assistant Liam Brady have met Ireland to welcome him back, but Ireland is refusing to budge.
Keane, who labelled Ireland as the best Irish player in football at the moment, said: 'When Brian Clough was manager and was trying to get Archie Gemmill to sign, he slept on the sofa. I wouldn’t sleep on Stephen Ireland’s sofa but I’d sleep outside his house to try and get him back.
'He would obviously make a big, big, difference to the Irish team,' he added. 'He looks happy in himself, playing for Man City. He’s been one of the most consistent players in the Premiership this season, in a team that has been inconsistent.
'What I would say to the lad, if I ever bumped into him in Manchester, I’d say “listen, your career is over before you know it, if you get an opportunity to play for Ireland under a good manager then go for it.”
'He might have a reason and we have to respect that whatever it might be. But never say never. I'd keep persevering. If I was Trapattoni, I would literally sleep outside his house.'
Although Keane has cranked the pressure on Trapattoni, whose side lie second in their qualifying group behind Italy, he backed his decision to overlook Andy Reid, a player he signed for Sunderland last season.
Keane, who returned to management last week to take over Championship side Ipswich Town, added: 'Andy Reid has as much quality as any player but he doesn’t deserve to be in the Ireland squad at this moment in time, as he’s not doing enough. I think Reidy could be fitter.
'Trapattoni is an experienced manager, he looks at the players who are in form and are playing week-in, week-out, not once every four weeks and it’s not as if Ireland are having bad results.
'I think the likes of Reidy, Carsley and one or two others, I don’t think they’ve too much to complain about to be honest with you.
'Trapattoni has got more experience of us put together in terms of football. I wouldn’t dare question what he’s doing with the players he’s selected. I look at one or two players who are playing on past reputation, one or two have not kicked a ball three years.
'This idea of picking players on form, I’m in favour of it; (Fabio) Capello does it.
'When it comes to picking players, there’s a fine line between loyalty and stupidity. One Irish player in particular hasn’t kicked a ball in three years and seems to play every time he’s come over. I can’t work that one out.'
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