Roy Keane was challenged to fight by former Premier League manager who claimed Man Utd legend 'is not as tough as he makes out'

Roy Keane isn't as tough as he makes out, according to a former Premier League manager, who called out the ex-Manchester United captain and his so-called "bravado" in an unexpected video message.

As far as Premier League hardmen go, there isn't many people that compare to Keane.

The midfielder, who was renowned for his no-nonsense approach during a 17-year playing career, received his fair share of red cards over the years, including that sending off after a studs-up challenge on Alfie Haaland.

And the Irishman has since brought that brutal edge to the punditry world, delivering hard-hitting analysis on a weekly basis.

Keane is considered one of football's last hardmen alongside Duncan Ferguson, who previously named his five toughest opponents which included former Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia and Arsenal legend Tony Adams.

But former Spurs and Southampton manager Harry Redknapp reckons he could take Keane in a fight. No, seriously.

Roy Keane has a tough-as-nails reputation. Image credit: Getty

Redknapp was making a guest appearance on the Soccer PM YouTube channel last year when he was asked which former Premier League players he could beat in the boxing ring.

The 78-year-old also backed himself to beat a number of former footballers in a fight, including Michael Owen, Gareth Southgate and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"I don't think Roy Keane is as tough as he makes out. It's all bravado," Redknapp said with a straight face. "I love Roy Keane but I wouldn't mind fighting him, actually."

He also claimed he could secure a victory over Paul Scholes, but said he wouldn't want to spar with the former Manchester United midfielder. "I love him," he added. "What a footballer."

Alan Shearer has already commented on the idea of fighting Roy Keane

Former Newcastle United striker Shearer played down a potential boxing fight with Keane after they came to blows on several occasions throughout the late 90's and early 00's.

Shearer and Keane were hardly the best of friends during their playing days. Image credit: Getty

That being said, the Premier League's all-time top goalscorer said he "didn't like" the United midfielder when they both played, and referred back to a clash in September 2001 when the Irishman was sent off for throwing a punch at Shearer.

"I had loads of rucks with him and I wasn't the only one. It was a throw-in in the far corner where I stopped him taking an early throw," he said on the Match of the Day podcast.

"We were beating them at St. James' Park and he wanted to take a quick throw-in and he'd been at me all game as he normally was.

"It was about three of four minutes before the end of the game. I can't remember exactly what I said, I called him some sort of name."