Roy Keane Only Criticised Jack Grealish Due To "Sour Grapes" Over Switch To England

Roy Keane's criticism of Jack Grealish after England's Euro 2020 final loss comes from "sour grapes" over the forward's switch from Republic of Ireland, according to Trevor Sinclair.

Keane's immediate response to England's loss to Italy in last Sunday's penalty shootout was to criticise Gareth Southgate's 'senior' players for not taking penalties.

Instead of Grealish, who actually only has 12 caps, all of which have come in the last 10 months, 19-year-old Bukayo Saka was sent up for the decisive penalty.

After the match many questioned Southgate's decision on who took penalties but ITV pundit Keane went for the players instead.

Grealish has since defended himself, saying he did volunteer, and now former England international Sinclair has claimed the initial criticism was because of the Aston Villa captain's choice to play for the Three Lions.

"As we all know, Roy Keane has got an opinion," Sinclair told talkSPORT, "But you can't just accept that knowing it's not the truth.

"Roy Keane's not privileged, we are not privileged at talkSPORT to know what was going on in those meetings when we're talking about penalties.

Grealish trudges off after receiving his runners up medal. Image: PA Images

"I believe Jack. I don't think he's a shrinking violet. He's a player who steps up to the plate. When you want to make a name for yourself, that's when you step up.

"I think with Roy Keane, with the fact Jack Grealish left the Irish squad, went to the England squad, I think there's a little bit of sour grapes there personally."

Grealish qualified to play for Ireland through his grandparents and played for them at under 17, 18 and 21 level from 2011-2014.

In 2015 the Villa forward refused a call up to the senior team, who were managed by Martin O'Neill, who had Keane as his assistant, and changed allegiance to England.

The 25-year-old had to wait until August last year to earn his first call up for the senior team and he has quickly become a fan favourite, especially to one woman at the final, and an integral member of the squad.

After the criticism from Keane, Grealish took to social media to defend himself and reveal that he had actually volunteered to take a penalty.

The former Notts County loanee, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City this summer, has never taken a spot kick at senior level.

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, Jack Grealish, England, Roy Keane

Ryan Sidle

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