Roy Keane Says Only One Current Ireland Player Dared to Argue Back With Him

Unlike so many others over the years, a member of the current Republic of Ireland squad was brave enough to confront Roy Keane after the former midfielder "had a go" at him.

Keane was part of Martin O'Neill's coaching setup with the Republic of Ireland between 2013 and 2018, a spell he recently described as “the highlight of my career”.

In that time, the Republic qualified for the Euro 2016 finals, where they beat Italy to reach the last 16.

“It sounds bizarre because we always talk about playing – and I loved playing – but our time with Ireland was probably the highlight," he said on an episode of the Stick to Football podcast.

Keane said he loved everything about that spell as O'Neill's assistant, including the dynamics and energy of the group. "There was something going on there and there was a feel-good factor," he added.

“The lads were decent. We probably did lack an out-and-out goalscorer, a bit of quality, all of those things, but we got to the Euros, we got to the [World Cup] play-offs. It was one of the best times of my life.”

Keane thoroughly enjoyed his spell as Republic assistant. Image credit: Getty

A key member of that Republic squad under O'Neill and Keane was Everton defender Seamus Coleman, who recently featured for his country as they reached the 2026 World Cup play-offs in dramatic fashion.

Keane enjoyed a good relationship with Coleman, although they did clash on a number of occasions. In fact, after Coleman hit back at Keane's criticism, the latter was suitably impressed by the way he stood up for himself.

Speaking about Coleman in a segment on Sky Sports last year, Keane began: "Obviously I worked with Seamus for a few years when I was working with Martin O'Neill with Ireland. I couldn't speak highly enough of him.

"He's consistent, has had a lot of setbacks in his career with injuries, but he's a good solid lad. He's a nice bloke, someone you would want to go into the trenches with.

"I had a few rows with Seamus... I know you find that hard to believe," added Keane. "What I like about players, if I have a go at them and say they should be doing something, Seamus had a go back at me once.

"He obviously regretted it. He had a go back and I like that. You talk about characters and he's a great lad, that doesn't mean he's not a winner and isn't up to the challenge. You don't play at that level with the injuries he has had unless you're a fighter."

Keane and Coleman had "a few" rows. Image credit: Getty

Shortly after Keane's appointment in 2013, Coleman said he would take any criticism from the former Manchester United midfielder "on the chin". Well, at least he didn't take a punch to the chin.