Coincidence?
Roy Keane doesn't buy these constant two-week injury prognoses. You know, the ones that are seemingly diagnosed every month - well, in March, June, September, October and November anyway - and diagnosed by a club manager nonetheless.
The Republic of Ireland assistant knows full well that his players want to play for their country but are put under pressure by their clubs to sit out. Just like he was.
With John O'Shea and Shane Long and
three others currently sidelined for Ireland in the build-up to Bosnia, the usual panicking is being done on the club front, widespread worry that players will do themselves more damage by taking part in international duty. And O'Neill and Keane are being advised left, right and centre as to what is best for their players.
Advised by other managers. With other interests.
"It's unfortunate that, over the years, there's politics involved with club managers and international managers," Keane stated. "I've not taken too much notice to what club managers have to say. It's ironic, most club managers, when there's and international week coming up, the players - it's ironic - always seem to be ruled out for 10 to 14 days. It's amazing.
"But, hi, what can you do?"
Then, Keane was offered a simple musing and provided a simpler response.
- "You've been on the other side of it too though, Roy..."
- "Yeah, I have been on the other side of it. What's your point?"
"You ask any of the players that work under me, I never had a problem with players going out for internationals. Never.
"I never ruled them out for 10 to 14 days every time there's an international match, I know that.
"If the players are fit, then they go away. If the players aren't fit, then you've obviously got to respect their clubs. If they aren't fit, then of course they stay with their clubs. But it's ironic that they all seem to get ruled out for 10 to 14 days."
Keane understands where club managers' priorities lie. But it doesn't mean he accepts it. Or lets it affect him.
"And there is this attitude: if you've not played a couple of weeks before the international break - I've experienced this myself as a player - then clubs are reluctant to let you go away because you've not been available for your club. A week or 10 days does make a difference in terms of you getting back but, in my own point of view, all I'm doing is focusing on the players who are here. If lads get good news in the next 24 to 48 hours - and obviously for the two games - it would be fantastic.
"But I'm not getting bogged down by club managers and preferences and I suppose the politics that goes on. You ask any international manager, that's part of the process."
