FORMER MAN UNITED midfielder Roy Keane has said that he ‘loves’ being the Republic of Ireland assistant manager.
The 44-year-old took the position in 2013, and after helping the Boys in Green to Euro 2016, revealed that he is greatly enjoying the experience working under Martin O’Neill.
“I feel very lucky to be working with Martin,” Keane told attendees at a fundraiser for the Train to be Smart Charity.
”I love what I am doing now, and enjoy working with Martin and the players. I do not take it for granted that I’m working with good people like Martin.
“After Martin became Ireland manager, he phoned me up and and asked me about joining him. I had worked with Martin as a pundit for ITV and enjoyed his company.
“There are strong connections with me and Martin. We worked with Brian Clough when we were players at Nottingham Forest, we have connections with Celtic and Sunderland, and we both like American football.
“We get on really well together, and you can’t put a price on that. It is massive to me.”
Keane took a question and answer session with the young audience at the charity event, where he revealed his favourite current Irish player.
“Seamus Coleman. I like Seamus, he’s a good player,” the Cork native said. ”(Jeff) Hendrick, Robbie Keane is a good player for Ireland, and Shane Long.”
Meanwhile, the FAI announced that Ireland will use Fota Island Resort as part of their pre-Euro 2016 preparations. The Boys in Green will train at the Cork complex for five days at the end of May and early June before travelling to France.
Ireland boss O’Neill believes the familiarity of home will help ease the players into the tournament conditions.
“The players will be in France for what will be a long enough period, so it’s good to keep them closer to home for the build-up to such a huge competition, and in a familiar environment,” O’Neill said.
