February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Keane has recently recovered from a hip operation and following the appointment of Brian Kerr as international team manager in the wake of last year’s resignation by Mick McCarthy, there has been widespread speculation that Keane may contemplate a comeback.
“People are assuming that he’s just going to go straight back into the international game,” said Ferguson, “but the situation is much more complicated than that. I think the medical staff who look after Roy may be the key people in him reaching his decision.”
Keane said he wouldn’t play for Ireland again when he was sent home by McCarthy at the start of last year’s World Cup finals, and given that Ferguson, who has managed Keane at Manchester United for more than 10 years, has decided to comment on the player’s future, a decision may already have been made.
Ferguson said he will be using the example of former England captain Alan Shearer, who retired from international duty in 2000, in his discussions with Keane. Shearer is currently in outstanding form for his club Newcastle.
“Shearer discovered that you can’t please three parts of the equation. Maybe Roy would be better settling for just two — Manchester United and himself,” Ferguson said.
Kerr, who has pledged to inform the public of a decision regarding Keane as soon as possible, was unwilling to respond to Ferguson’s comments. Meanwhile, there were no surprises in the Ireland squad for next Wednesday’s friendly game against Scotland in Glasgow. Damien Duff was included by Kerr, but is unlikely to be available due to a hamstring injury.