SOCCER: Roy Keane has virtually ruled out a return to the Republic of Ireland team even though he has nothing but admiration for manager Brian Kerr.

The Manchester United captain says he made his decision on medical grounds after a hip operation last year.

He notoriously quit the international stage following an ongoing dispute with Kerr's predecessor Mick McCarthy which came to a head during the team's 2002 World Cup preparations in Saipan.

Keane was critical of the way they prepared for matches - and especially the training facilities on the island. However, after chatting to his Waterford-born Old Trafford team-mate John O'Shea, he feels the national side are moving in the right direction.

Keane said: "When Brian took over the temptation was to go back because I knew things would be done properly.

"But after getting medical advice I feel I have made the right decision.

"Brian has come in and done a very good job but they always seemed to be playing catch-up after losing the first two games of the Euro 2004 qualifiers.

"The best teams always qualify and Switzerland and Russia deserved to go through on merit.

"Yeah, I watch some of the games and I think I could definitely do a job for the team.

"Then again there are one or two players who I wouldn't fancy playing with because of what happened before.

"Because I feel okay in myself now it doesn't mean I have forgotten what the surgeon told me about how important it is to rest my hip.

"John O'Shea was away for 10 days recently. Meanwhile, I was doing my stretching, doing my weights and getting plenty of rest. All that helps me in the long run.

"From what I hear they are definitely more professional. John tells me they are getting looked after. So at least something good came out of what happened."

Keane also admits he has cleaned up his act on the pitch.

"It's about bloody time," he stressed. "There have been bookings, sendings off, not to mention the fines, which are a killer. That's not to say it won't happen again. Eventually all these things come together and you think, 'What's the point?'

"I was really frustrated with the referee at Chelsea (where United conceded a penalty).

"Okay I argued my case but compare the way I went about it to the penalty against Middlesbrough a few years ago. Then I went chasing after the referee. I was a bit crazy. Hopefully I have more control now."

Keane is eager to move into coaching when he retires and intends getting his badges while still playing.

"I definitely see myself as a manager eventually. It is getting much stricter and there are lots of qualifications.

"I will need a UEFA B and A licence and the new pro managers' licence before I can even think about getting a job.

"It is important to have these things in place when you retire. The big mistake many players make is they retire at 35 without their coaching badges.

"It takes two or three years and your face falls out of the picture.

"With the right qualifications I can go for a job straight away if I want to. I would like to think further down the line I could be a good manager."