Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson maintains that Roy Keane's decision to quit the Irish national team had been made solely on medical grounds. In a statement on the club's official website, www.manutd.com, Ferguson said: “Brian Kerr was very impressed in his talk with Roy Keane. Roy is very disappointed with the decision he's had to make and is disappointed not to be playing under Brian Kerr for the Republic of Ireland. This is not a football decision, but a medical issue. After much deliberation, Roy has acted on medical advice from Manchester United to end his international career.
Meanwhile, former Republic striker John Aldridge played with Keane at the 1994 World Cup finals in America, reacted to the news sombrely: “I would have loved to see him back in a green jersey, but it was not to be. You can look at it both ways. If it elongates his career you can understand it. But it is sad for Irish football. In Irish football, he is probably second only to Paul McGrath in the all-time greats. I hope that is the way he will go out, but I am sure there are the pessimists who will remember the last World Cup.”
Former Manchester United and Ireland striker Frank Stapleton said he believed the Old Trafford club had a big influence on Keane's decision. Stapleton said: “I'm not really surprised. There were some indications that he might come back into the international fold but I think it is a lot to do with Manchester United. The manager might have said, ‘We want you for the next two to three years, you've had some injuries and the less games you play the better for us’. That is where his wages are paid and that is a big influence.” However, Stapleton was nonetheless sympathetic to the Cork man’s dilemma: “lan Shearer has looked fantastic since giving up international football. People are clamouring for him to come back but I don't think he would be doing as well if he was playing international football. When you are in your thirties it is difficult to maintain the same standards.”
Filed by James Boylan.
