That parade Leicester are enjoying in the Champions League looks awfully dry, doesn’t it?
Cue rain provider Roy Keane.
The Republic of Ireland assistant manager was on punditry duty for ITV on Wednesday night and you’d do well to find a more quintessential example of Keane’s tendency to lean towards the negative.
Prior to kick-off on Wednesday night’s games, Keano was discussing Leicester’s European heroics as they continued their 100 per cent record in the competition.
When asked if he could cut the Foxes a little bit of slack for their lacklustre start to the defence of their Premier League title considering how good they look in the Champions League, Keane was typically blunt.
“No slack,” Keane groaned. “It doesn’t matter. We talked about their Champions League form and we’ve said it before that it’s a really good group for them and they’re doing well. No doubt their confidence is growing and the whole club is enjoying it and why not?
“They have to remember what got them to the Champions League and that is their bread and butter by doing well week in, week out in the Premiership. To me, they’ve obviously lost that bit of hunger and desire in the Premiership.
“The goals they’re giving away, the chances they’re giving up, the lack of concentration, not staying with their runners, I’ve been really disappointed with this group of players and so I’m cutting them no slack.”
Shocker!
The Manchester United legend could not even be drawn into praising what many believed was a feat of incredible athleticism from Leicester ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel at the very death of their victory over FC Copenhagen.
Schmeichel guaranteed all three points with a stunning leap to his right to deny an equaliser.
But for Keane, the above was bog standard.
“I don’t think it’s as great as everyone’s making out,” Keane said. “He’s done well for Leicester but to me this is a standard save. That’s what he’s there for. That’s what he’s supposed to be doing. They’re all praising him after the game but a goalkeeper, that’s his job. It doesn’t matter that it’s the last minute, if that goes into the back of the net, I’d be saying ‘where’s my goalkeeper?’
“And all this hugging players after the match as well, over-the-top stuff. My goodness, what’s the game coming to? It’s ridiculous!”
It certainly is, Roy.
In fairness to Ireland’s favourite curmudgeon, he found it in him to give a thumbs-up to Alexis Sanchez’s stunning opener for Arsenal in their 6-0 thrashing of Lugogorets.
That was before he slammed the opposition goalkeeper for bad positioning and weight issues.
He said: “I think he’s got the quality, he’s got the intelligence, he’s got the movement… Listen, question mark over the opposition and even the goalkeeper. He looks two stone overweight but this is fantastic.”
Boom What a chip @Alexis_Sanchez pic.twitter.com/pXiiqilpQx
— TouchofÖzil (@Touchofozil) October 19, 2016
And if pudgy ol’ Vladislav Stoyanov was offended by Keane’s comments, they pale in comparison to the harsh words that the Irishman reserved for Celtic defender Kolo Toure, who flattered to deceive in the Hoops’ 2-0 defeat at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.
“He’s got to clear his lines,” Keane said.
“You said he doesn’t make mistakes. I think he makes far too many mistakes. Over his career, he does cost you.”
He could have stopped there but Keane was on a roll and wanted to take a little bit of a swipe at pundits claiming that Spurs have a chance at winning the Premier League this season.
“This idea that they can win the Premiership…no chance,” Keane said. “I don’t care. I can’t see them winning the Premiership.”
Never change, Roy. Seriously, never change!
