Roy Keane criticises plastic paddies

DB10

Roy Keane has launched a scathing rant at the increasing number of ‘plastic paddies’ on the Irish international soccer team.

English-born players with Irish roots such as Simon Cox and Paul Green have recently declared for the Republic, while the prospect of the likes of Jermaine Pennant, Jamie O’Hara and Mark Noble pulling on the green jersey has also been mooted in recent months.

It is something that has upset many a dyed in the wool follower of the Boys in Green, and although it would be a stretch to put Roy Keane in that category, the former Ireland captain has spoken of his dismay at a development that he feels will dilute the sense of national pride that comes with playing for one’s country.

Speaking to Cork’s Life 93.1 FM, rent-a-quote Keane said: “Eventually it’s going to be spot the Irishman on the pitch.

“I know we have to be open minded over which players are eligible to play for Ireland, but now it’s getting a bit silly. Every Tom, Dick and Harry seems to be claiming to be Irish.”

Keane is more qualified than most to talk about what is becoming a delicate situation considering that he played with a number of British-born players, such as Andy Townsend, Ray Houghton and (cough) Tony Cascarino during his international career, but he feels that in his time, players really wanted to play for Ireland, whereas now it is considered a good career move.

“I know years ago we got stick – people saying it was the England B team,” Keane added.

“But I think there were a lot of lads playing for Ireland or who are in the squad who to me are English through and through.

“They are saying – I probably can’t get capped for another country so I’ll pick Ireland. Players have said that. I know they have. And that’s not the right way to go about things either.”

Since retiring as a player, Keane has become something of a cranky and disillusioned figure and his rants about the game and particularly the Irish team have become commonplace.

Not surprisingly, he didn’t resist the opportunity to stick the boot into the current squad and returned to a favourite theme of his, the lack of impact by the senior players in the Ireland squad, who according to Keane, are talking the talk but not walking the walk.

“I just think more can come from certain players. So-called senior players – you guarantee a week before international matches they are doing a lot of talking, but not too much working.

“The mentality with certain players is not good enough. And that is why they are playing for the clubs they are. I said that, I think, pre-World Cup 2002 and I’m saying that now.

“The so-called big hitters in the Irish team to me now aren’t big hitters. They are not even in their club teams. But they obviously have probably certain pals in the media and they deflect that a little bit.”

I agree certainly the likes of Pennant, should not be lining out for the Irish team. And O'Hara, they consider themselves English, waiting until late in their careers until they are never on Englands radar and then show a fleeting interest.

No dice.

Also his comment re big hitters hints at Robbie Keane and West Ham to me, but I may be wrong there.

stovelid

whiskeyman

Since retiring as a player, Keane has become something of a cranky and disillusioned figure and his rants about the game and particularly the Irish team have become commonplace.

That's the only bit in the article that needed highlighting tbh

DrumSteve

Roy Keane should just shut the **** up.

He has no right to speak on this as he lost it when he walked out on the Irish team. At least these lads want to play for us.

stovelid

DrumSteve wrote: »

when he walked out on the Irish team..

No he didn't.

And anybody that played with distinction for their country for many years has every right to comment on the setup - much more in fact than any of us have.

jive

He may be a knob but 95% of the time I agree with him and he speaks a lot of sense. This is another one of those times where he speaks the truth.

This is my fav. vid of his

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWShjpiX8lc

YouTookMyName

Whos Cares? Keanes Gob is far too big.

Benimar

stovelid wrote: »

No he didn't.

And anybody that played with distinction for their country for many years has every right to comment on the setup - much more in fact than any of us have.

Not getting into another Roy Keane debate, but he did walk out. He was persuaded to return (by Alex Ferguson of all people) and he was then kicked out 2 days later.

So he walked out, and was kicked out. Everyone is correct

dahat

stovelid wrote: »

No he didn't.

And anybody that played with distinction for their country for many years has every right to comment on the setup - much more in fact than any of us have.

Agree with this,he has every right to comment on this topic and he is correct on what he says.
This topic will get sidetracked to a Keane beating i reckon rather than the plastic paddy element

That_Guy

Couldn't give a toss about Keane and what he has to say.

invinciblePRSTV

The plastic paddy Matty Holland did a fine job when Royston - a real Irishman - walked out on his country.

Jog on Roy, shouldn't he be in Australia?

stovelid

Benimar wrote: »

and was kicked out

Yes.

And he did far more for the national team during his career than any of the people knocking him on Internet forums.

Keane might go on a bit but he's usually right in what says about the Ireland setup.

Benimar

stovelid wrote: »

Yes.

Keane might go on a bit but he's usually right in what says about the Ireland setup.

Selective editing Stovelid. He was kicked out, but had also walked out, before returning. At least admit that much!

He has a point in this case, but a lot of people have stopped listening to him at this stage and couldn't give a monkeys what he says.

DB10

stovelid wrote: »

Yes.

And he did far more for the national team during his career than any of the people knocking him on Internet forums.

Keane might go on a bit but he's usually right in what says about the Ireland setup.

So people arent allowed opinions now? Sure Paul McShane done more for the Irish team than any of us either, that doesn't mean he done good either.

My opinion is Keane is a knob and rent a quote, but he's spot on with this piece.

tonycascarino

Personally think that any eligible player who can offer something to the Irish squad should be brought in be in Pennant, O'Hara or whoever.

abouttobebanned

What is this ****e with the posting pics that are supposed to be funny. A can of open worms, how clever. But as mentioned above, this is just another pointless Keane rant. The man is starting to become irrelevant.

gustavo

tonycascarino wrote: »

Personally think that any eligible player who can offer something to the Irish squad should be brought in be in Pennant, O'Hara or whoever.

Appropriate username

stovelid

Benimar wrote: »

Selective editing Stovelid. He was kicked out, but had also walked out, before returning. At least admit that much!
.

The act that resulted in his omission from the World Cup was his expulsion from the squad.

Anyway, so what if he did walk out. He can do what he wants, especially after putting up with the FAI for the bones of 10 or 11 years. He virtually got the team into the finals in the first place.

IamtheWalrus

That_Guy wrote: »

Couldn't give a toss about Keane and what he has to say.

Bet you read the quotes though.

WallyGUFC

I don't really mind "plastic paddies" playing but people like O' Hara are really pulling the piss. Either ya want to play or ya don't. And he clearly wants to play for England. But you couldn't question the desire of say, Kilbane or Matt Holland to play. It's people using us as a security if they don't get an England place that annoys me.

stovelid

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Bet you read the quotes though.

You get the feeling sometimes that being tired of Keane really equates to being tired of Keane, formerly of Manchester United.

Zebra3

Keane is more qualified than most to talk about what is becoming a delicate situation considering that he played with a number of British-born players, such as Andy Townsend, Ray Houghton and (cough) Tony Cascarino during his international career, but he feels that in his time, players really wanted to play for Ireland, whereas now it is considered a good career move.

The same Andy Townsend who cried his eyes out (in sorow) when Ireland beat England at Euro88? :eek:

Oh spare me the revisionist bs. :rolleyes:

DB10

For me I don't mind guys like Lawrence, he's actually one of my favourite players, and he actually does really care about Ireland and playing for the team. In fact he has said similar to what Keane has said.

But guys like Pennant, O'Hara or Kevin Nolan, evidently don't give a ****, are English through and through, and have left it so late in their careers that they wont get into the England set up.

All too much for me. Never mind the fact the these players are barely a step up from what we have now.

mike65

He's not that wrong but everyone has an opinion on Keane rather than what he says...

OhNoYouDidn't

Zebra3 wrote: »

The same Andy Townsend who cried his eyes out (in sorow) when Ireland beat England at Euro88? :eek:

Oh spare me the revisionist bs. :rolleyes:

And made the players wear black armbands for a foreign royal despite explicit instructions from the FAI not to do so...

Looks like Roy has been reading my opinion on the subject and agreed with me..

All I'll say is that there is a distinction between diaspora and chancers. Kilbane is the former, Pennant the latter. I have no problem with people who identify as Irish and play for the underage sides, but there is an issue around those players who do it for naked careerism.

tonycascarino

DB10 wrote: »

For me I don't mind guys like Lawrence, he's actually one of my favourite players, and he actually does really care about Ireland and playing for the team. In fact he has said similar to what Keane has said.

Bit of a hypocrite this Lawrence lad.

''His connection to the country is slight, a grandfather, Jimmy Diggins, from Kerry who became estranged from the family for reasons the player declines to go into (“It just all went off,” he observes, “I can’t say too much really.”), so that Liam did not grow up with anything like the awareness of his “Irishness” the likes of Lee Carsley or even, for that matter, England international Martin Keown, had due to their family environment.''
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1006/1224280471110.html

Why should Lawrence be allowed play for Ireland and say someone with just as much of a connection like Pennant not be allowed?

DB10

Pennant obviously wants to join the big Irish contingent at Stoke and has been hearing good things.

Some how if he was at the likes of Spurs I doubt he would be too bothered!

OhNoYouDidn't

tonycascarino wrote: »

Bit of a hypocrite this Lawrence lad.

''His connection to the country is slight, a grandfather, Jimmy Diggins, from Kerry who became estranged from the family for reasons the player declines to go into (“It just all went off,” he observes, “I can’t say too much really.”), so that Liam did not grow up with anything like the awareness of his “Irishness” the likes of Lee Carsley or even, for that matter, England international Martin Keown, had due to their family environment.''
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1006/1224280471110.html

Why should Lawrence be allowed play for Ireland and say someone with just as much of a connection like Pennant not be allowed?

On paper, you are right.

In reality, its Pennant's comments that he only wants to be considered because he knows an England cap isn't forthcoming. The idiocy of that statement alone should preclude him

DB10

tonycascarino wrote: »

Bit of a hypocrite this Lawrence lad.

''His connection to the country is slight, a grandfather, Jimmy Diggins, from Kerry who became estranged from the family for reasons the player declines to go into (“It just all went off,” he observes, “I can’t say too much really.”), so that Liam did not grow up with anything like the awareness of his “Irishness” the likes of Lee Carsley or even, for that matter, England international Martin Keown, had due to their family environment.''
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1006/1224280471110.html

Why should Lawrence be allowed play for Ireland and say someone with just as much of a connection like Pennant not be allowed?

Maybe because of the fact he is proud to do so and has stated so early on?

Not like Pennant who has waited after representing the U21s, and late in his career when he has no chance with England, to get some spotlight.

Pennant has far stronger links to Jamaica , why doesn't he play with them? It isn't part of his agenda and is too far away that's why.

Funny username btw, :rolleyes:

stovelid

Ireland is really well placed to exploit players that were brought up in another country (or jurisdiction like the North) and really identify with Ireland.

But at least just get the players that want to play instead of it being a last roll of the dice. International football should at least be about some kind of loyalty.

Rob113

Lawrence just realised at an earlier age that he wouldn't be getting an England call up, that's the only reason he threw his lot in with us from an earlier age. He has no tangible connection to Ireland. I like him as a player and admire his attitude when called upon but to hold him up as proud Irishman is bollix.

OhNoYouDidn't

DB10 wrote: »

Maybe because of the fact he is proud to do so and has stated so early on?

Not like Pennant who has waited after representing the U21s, and late in his career when he has no chance with England, to get some spotlight.

Pennant has far stronger links to Jamaica , why doesn't he play with them? It isn't part of his agenda and is too far away that's why.

Funny username btw, :rolleyes:

To be fair, thats arse. Lawerence simply was never good enough to play for England so had no reason to hang on and wait for an invite.

I don't think people are questioning that some of the players with tentative links and questionable motivations for declaring for Ireland won't do a good job or try their best. Its a question of demeaning the shirt and forcing more 'Irish' players out and therefore stunting the development of young talent.

At least they never pulled out of the Irish team .

Rob113

Any English born player if good enough will look to play for England. If they are not they will look to play for us. We haven't enough homegrown players to be a force in world football. I couldn't give a monkeys what age they are when they realise they won't be picked by England. It's football they are playing, not going to war.

Chucky the tree

Would be interesting to see what Keane would do himself as Irish manager, going by how poor his managerial career has turned out so far that chance is unlikely too happen though.

Coillte_Bhoy

DrumSteve wrote: »

Roy Keane should just shut the **** up.

He has no right to speak on this as he lost it when he walked out on the Irish team. At least these lads want to play for us.

Bull ****, he has every right to speak on any football related issue as we all do, whether you agree with him or not. Who are you to say who has and hasnt a right to speak about certain things?
I agree with your feelings towards keane by the way, but i must admit i enjoy his rants.

GavRedKing

So is this a plastic paddy debate or Roy Keane bashing thread, or both??

My 2cents, I couldn't give a monkeys who plays for the Irish national team once they improve the squad, ffs there's Irish players that are better then some in the currrent squad that aren't been picked for the squad due to Trapp's ignorance/tactics and also to cover the Keane bashing I've no ill feeling towards Keane and I wish him well in his future endavours.

Dozen Wicked Words

Few quotes from Dave Kitson from a few years back when he was playing well and Staunton had got the managers job:

"It is obviously flattering, to use an old cliche to be linked with Ireland and it is nice to be thought of so highly by somebody that I respect within the game but I wouldn't do it. It's got nothing to do with Ireland or the Irish people and I am certainly not naive enough to think that I am good enough. It's just that I don't believe in the grandparent rule and it's something I don't like about international football. This is my own little stand and that's just it. I think you should play for the country you were born in."

Thread from 2006

I think the gripe should be more with the rule than people who choose to use it.

gosplan

I get that Roy's a legend. I get that he could well the be best player ever to play for Ireland. I get that he's a born winner and we need more like him.


I don't get why he couldn't just say...

'Man the Macedonia away game is really big, I hope they do well'

Whatever you want to say about the man, he has a problem in that he
always has to knock people.

Kingdom Bhoy

stovelid wrote: »

No he didn't.

And anybody that played with distinction for their country for many years has every right to comment on the setup - much more in fact than any of us have.

This.

pickarooney

To think, 70% of these players would have been rejected from the French training academies.

ItsAWindUp

Roy Keane is becoming the Liam Gallagher of football.

LuckyLloyd

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

All I'll say is that there is a distinction between diaspora and chancers. Kilbane is the former, Pennant the latter. I have no problem with people who identify as Irish and play for the underage sides, but there is an issue around those players who do it for naked careerism.

I happen to agree with this 100%.

LuckyLloyd

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Would be interesting to see what Keane would do himself as Irish manager, going by how poor his managerial career has turned out so far that chance is unlikely too happen though.

It's not really that poor to be honest.

premierstone

gosplan wrote: »

I get that Roy's a legend. News to me I have to say, then again Im not a Man Utd fan
I get that he could well the be best player ever to play for Ireland. I think Liam Brady and Paul McGrath might have something to say about this.
I get that he's a born winner and we need more like him. Jaysus we have enough problems without having more Roy Keanes

.

LuckyLloyd

premierstone, if you don't get that Roy Keane is a legend or feel the current Irish set isn't crying out for a player of his will and ability you're an idiot plain and simple.

Luckily I don't think you really believe either of those things and instead are blinded by HATE HATE HATE. :rolleyes:

Ordinary man

If a young lad is raised in england aware of his irish heritage and irish connections, i think it's great if he wants to play for ireland.

But if a player, not good enough for england, is told by his agent that he can play for ireland - that's not good enough. Remember vinny jones played for wales, do we want people like that declaring

stovelid

Keane played his bollix off for this country. He hardly blew up in Saipan because he didn't have a Porsche laid on or something. Rightly or wrongly, he had deep-seated frustrations going back years with the setup here, not to mention his own personal demons.

It's also hilarious that so many people are sufficiently proud of their country to denigrate his supposed lack of patriotism yet are willing to let any chancer with a sob story and a distant granny pull on the national shirt to advance their career.

premierstone

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

premierstone, if you don't get that Roy Keane is a legend or feel the current Irish set isn't crying out for a player of his will and ability you're an idiot plain and simple.

Luckily I don't think you really believe either of those things and instead are blinded by HATE HATE HATE. :rolleyes:

In no way shape or form do I think Roy Keane is a legend Llyod and I stand by that, yes of course he was a fantastic footballer and would improve the current squad no end.

Try not to resort to the personal insults aswell there keyboard warrior :mad: taken a leaf out of your idols book I see :rolleyes:

SharpshooterTom

<snip>

Frisbee

Gnobe, the other thread was locked for a reason. Do not carry on the discussion here.