Shane Long has known Roy Keane long enough to say with absolute certainty that backing down is not in the man's nature. Speaking to BOYLE Sports , Long gave a direct but affectionate verdict on the Keane versus Bruno Fernandes row, explaining why Roy is almost certainly wrong on the facts but will never admit it, and why that quality is exactly what makes him such compelling television.
From there, the conversation moved to a crop of Irish players having exceptional seasons. Caoimhin Kelleher's performances at Brentford have opened up serious conversations about his future, and Long had no hesitation in saying the goalkeeper is ready for any challenge that comes his way, including a potential move to Bayern Munich .
Troy Parrott's remarkable season at AZ Alkmaar drew warm words from Long , who watched the striker come through the Ireland youth setup. Nathan Collins' outstanding year at Brentford was also discussed, and Long made a strong case for why Liverpool should be looking seriously at the Irish defender. He saved some of his greatest enthusiasm for Keith Andrews , calling his achievement at Brentford one of the stories of the season.
Roy Keane And Fernandes
Roy Won't Back Down
Roy is a brilliant pundit because he just says whatever comes into his head and lets it out. Bruno has had an unbelievable season with the assists he has had and has carried that team through a lot of the season. So I reckon Roy is the only pundit that has kind of bad-mouthed Bruno this season. He will say it as it is, and if he heard it the other way around, he has got a point. He obviously heard it wrong.
He is not a liar in any sense; he just says how he feels, but at the same time, I do not know if he will hold his hands up and say, I got it wrong. He will keep backing himself and fighting his corner. You do not want to get on his bad side. He is tough enough, but he is very witty. Get him one-on-one; he has got some one-liners; he is a funny guy. It is hard to place him if he went back into management.
I think Roy was just too good as a player, and he finds it frustrating when players cannot do what he could do. I think he is revelling in this punditry role; he is brilliant on TV. He is controversial, but he has always got a point, and he can back it up with the career he has had. Maybe Ireland next, but there will be a lot of options for that now with the younger generation. Like we said, Damien Duff , Robbie Keane , and even Keith Andrews , if he is looking for a job at that time. There is John O'Shea as well; there are a few options there for Ireland to get past players who know the game and have played at that level.
Transfer Talk
Good Enough For Bayern
You could see when Caoimhin Kelleher played for Liverpool that nothing fazes him. When Antonin Kinsky came in at Tottenham , he struggled with that pressure, but Kelleher did not. I have played with and against him; he is an unbelievable goalkeeper. He is a big guy, really mellow and laid back, but he trains hard and is a model pro. He has had an unbelievable season at Brentford .
He could have sat on the bench at a big club like Liverpool , but he went out to prove himself, and he has done that. It is exciting for Ireland . Regarding Bayern Munich , Manuel Neuer looks like he is going to go on forever, so I do not know if he is definitely leaving this summer, but Kelleher is good enough. There will be a lot of teams looking at him as well.
Parrott's Spurs Decision
I do not know if Troy Parrott wants to go back to Spurs . I am sure he has got over thirty goals this year. He has a lot of energy, he is quick, and he is a goal scorer. Every club wants a goal scorer, someone who can stick in the box and put the ball away when it falls to them. It is a hell of a talent to have. He went out to AZ Alkmaar , and it was kind of his last chance, as he had been on loan at a few places where it did not really happen.
Tottenham had enough and let him off, and he has gone out there and rebuilt his career. Scoring five goals in two games for Ireland also brought him right into the spotlight. He is a good kid; I want to see him do well. He was a young lad coming through with Ireland when I was there, asking questions, trying to get better, and really enthusiastic about the game. He is one of those kids you want to see do well. I think there will be a lot of teams looking at him if Tottenham are not the team they were before, but now with De Zerbi there, who knows? He would have a few options.
Brentford
Collins Ready For A Big Move
Brentford were very unlucky not to get into Europe this year. Nathan Collins has around a hundred and fifty appearances despite being only twenty-five, and was a big part of that. He has done remarkably well since joining them and is performing well for Ireland , too. He has a natural leadership role in the way he carries himself and is a real team player. He would be an asset to Liverpool ; maybe some would say it is just too soon. He is in a great position at Brentford under Keith Andrews , but they are a club known for selling players at the right price. He has put himself in a very strong position if a big club comes in for him. I am sure if anyone comes in and they really want him, Brentford will sell.
Andrews Deserves The Award
Keith Andrews has been brilliant. When he came in, they had just sold Mbeumo , and Norgaard went to Arsenal , so they lost a lot of their definite starting eleven players. Everyone had written him off, thinking it was too hard a job and that they might even be linked with relegation at the start of the season. He has been unbelievable; the football they play is lovely to watch, and they are hard to break down at the same time.
He has instilled a footballing philosophy that is unique to Brentford . Coming into the job without much experience as a manager, having been more of a coach, what he has achieved is unbelievable. It is not a fluke; there is a pattern and a style of play that he has instilled.
You can see on the sideline that he has that bond with the players where they want to play for him. That is probably the hardest job as a manager, keeping all the players on side, even the ones in the stands or on the bench. Keith has done that really well. He was a coach with Ireland when I was there. I was not sure if he had that manager's side to him as well, but he definitely has. If he has another great season, it is a matter of time before he is linked to a top-six club.
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