Republic of Ireland assistant managerRoy Keane has delivered a typically withering critique of the performances of a number of Republic of Ireland internationals in last night's 2-1 friendly defeat to Belarus, insisting some of those selected in the 23-man squad for Euro 2016 were fortunate to be on the plane to France.
Speaking in his native Cork, Keane said: "Whatever about getting into the final 23, players had an opportunity to try and force their way into the starting 11 for the Sweden game.
"Some done OK, some were very, very poor for international football."
The former Manchester United midfielder pointed to a lack of basic skills as a reason for Ireland's surprise defeat at Turner's Cross.
"It's very important you control the ball, pass it and move. It's a pretty simple game, really, so if you can't do that you're up against it," he said.
Despite the setback, Keane said the group has done really well over the last couple of years.
"We’ve had some decent results, good spirit but what you find in sport you have to deal with setbacks."
He did admit that the fact manager Martin O'Neill's squad announcement was to come after the final whistle in Cork may have affected some of the players mentally.
"The fact is everyone knew the manager had to finalise the squad and that can play tricks on your minds sometimes," he insisted.
"Not making excuses for the players, because you’ve still got to be professional, and I said first and foremost when you’re a footballer you’ve got to try and control the football. That is pretty important, whatever is going on in your mind."
"It's very important you control the ball, pass it and move. It's a pretty simple game really so if you can't do that you're up against it."
Keane also said that "after one or two of their performances last night, they should be counting their blessings that they got on the flight".
However, he was also keen to draw a line under the performance, saying: "We've picked the squad, now we refocus and get ready for the real business in the next week or two."
With the 23-man squad finalised, there are still some positions in the side that are not yet nailed down, starting at the very back.
Keane said there is good competition for the goalkeeper's jersey: "Westy (Keiren Westwood) has had a good season, Shay (Given) has got massive experience, but obviously Darren (Randolph), you would say, has got the number one jersey.
"Obviously that could change quickly. We’ll gauge that over the next week or two."
During an in-depth press conference, Keane also dealt with a number of players who secured their tickets to France, as well as a few who were unlucky not to do so.
Midfielders Darren Gibson and Harry Arter both belong to the latter group, with injury finally ruling Bournemouth's Arter out of the squad.
Arter had missed a lot of the tail end of the Cherries maiden Premier League season and Keane said: "He’s been struggling the last week or two, which we knew about, and that seemed to be getting worse.
"If the manager was making a tough decision on Harry, the fact is he didn’t think he’d be fit for a couple of weeks."
Gibson only made five starts for Everton last season, something Keane identified as a factor in his non-selection.
With a number of other players included in the squad who have lacked first-team action, including winger Aiden McGeady, Keane said: "The fact he has not played much football was always going to make it difficult for him (Gibson) to make the final 23."
McGeady, a clubmate of Gibson at Everton, joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan in February and made 13 appearances for the Owls.
"No one likes losing a football match but sometimes in sport you need that setback to say listen lads, there's a lot of hard work ahead."
The decision to seek first-team action at a lower level was key for Keane, who added: "He did take that decision to leave Everton and go get some action, whereas a lot of people do sit around and think it's not the right move for me. You give Aiden a little bit of credit for that."
However, despite admiring his move, Keane admitted the winger must improve on his offering against Belarus, saying: "I think he’ll need to play better than he did last night to force his way into the starting 11... I think he can do a lot better but maybe that's the story of Aiden’s career."
Keane was also unconcerned about the fitness of his namesake Robbie, despite the LA Galaxy striker picking up a calf injury at the weekend, as he said: "There’s no need to rush Robbie. His track record is pretty good and his recovery rate is very good.
"I think Robbie, when he’s carrying knocks, has a good mindset, which I think helps with any injury.
"It’s not ideal, but the fact is do we think he’d be available for Sweden? We think yes."
The 23-man squad will be give some time off over the weekend before reconvening Sunday.
From there it will be all eyes on France, although the Belarus result could still have an impact.
"When we get back in together we’ll up the ante, we gotta focus and peak at the right time," he opined.
"No one likes losing a football match but sometimes in sport you need that setback to say 'listen lads, there's a lot of hard work ahead'."
