Giggs defends team-mate Keane
Sunday, 15 September 2002 12:30Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has spoken out in defence of his club captain Roy Keane claiming recent controversies surrounding the Irishman have given jealous critics an excuse to target him. Keane has found himself in hot water since the publication of his autobiography, and is facing two Football Association charges relating to comments about his tackle on Manchester City's Alf Inge Haaland.
However, Giggs believes Keane's critics are just envious of his success. "Whenever there is controversy involving Keane it's a good excuse for people to lay into him. There is a certain amount of jealousy involved. There isn't a team in Europe that wouldn't want him so it's laughable when people have a go just for the sake of it. As far as I'm concerned Keane epitomises the strength and passion of Man United, and that's all people here are interested in," Giggs told the Sunday Mirror newspaper.
"Keane has never struck me as a dirty player. Fundamentally, he's a winner and anything else is secondary. There is hell to pay if Roy isn't on the winning side. That goes for everything he's involved in, and that will to win sometimes comes at a cost. I guess some players are more composed and will walk away from potential trouble, but Keane is so competitive, he acts instantaneously and sometimes pays the price. But you can't just tame someone and nobody would try because it makes Keane what he is - a fierce competitor who never gives up the chase for victory. That is why our rivals think he's priceless and that's why they would jump at the chance of signing him," added the United star.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
