Understandably enough, James McCarthy’s ears pricked up just that little bit higher than most when he heard of Roy Keane’s impending arrival. If the next few years of his career in the Ireland midfield are going to be about scaling mountains, who better to play Sherpa?
“It’s always encouraging to see such a footballing hero like Roy, especially a midfielder, working and giving you tips. It’s brilliant. He’s a massive influence. It’s only two days in but he’s given us tips here and there and it’s always good when someone who’s such a great footballing hero gives you tips. It’s a massive bonus.”
Any tips in particular?
"Just things in the game. Like today we had an 11 v 11 game and he was talking to you – run here, get on the ball, just that type of stuff. Every little helps. I want to get on the ball and I want to pass the ball and make tackles here and there. But it's a long way from comparing myself to Roy Keane to be honest. Obviously I want get on the ball and pass the ball."
Looking forward to
Keane himself said later that working with the squad's midfield players was something he was especially looking forward to. When it was put to him that there were a few similarities between the pair of them, he mused for a couple of seconds before largely agreeing.
“From what I have seen this morning that is probably a good point. He probably plays a little like me. Maybe not as aggressive and possibly looking to mature in terms of his personality on the team over the next few years but that will all come. That comes with maturity and when you get games under your belt.
“But from the way he trained today and the game we had, he was getting in very good attacking positions and making very good forward runs – which I think is always something I did when I was a young player, particularly at Forest. But I don’t want that to be twisted round that I am comparing him to me, far from it.”
