First published 11.43am
ASTON VILLA MANAGER Paul Lambert insists that Roy Keane’s departure was not the result of a dressing room bust-up.
Keane left the Premier League club last week in order to concentrate on his duties as Ireland assistant but reports in the media on Monday suggested that his sudden exit was down to a falling out.
However, Lambert spoke out after last night’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and says he would like to put the story to bed.
“If anyone wants to know about Roy, I’ll put it on your plate so you know: there’s absolutely no problem whatsoever,” Lambert said.
“He’s got a lot of commitments with Ireland, he’s never had a break from going away with Ireland, and never had a break from Aston Villa. So I totally respect his decision.
Contrary to reports, there was absolutely nothing, absolutely no bust-up, no arguing, nothing like that. I thank him for his time coming to work for me.
“I spoke to him before the Burnley game, after the Burnley game, and we still have the same relationship. So I just want to put that to bed, alright?”
Decent first half from Ulster but totally blown away once the respective benches came on. UBB aren’t contenders – their defence is quite porous which will cost them later in the comp. Some good signs with ulster young players
@Michael Corkery: Thay don’t even blink tho, French teams of old (some new) would have given up at half time, they just know they’re going to get a cut, was full sure Ulster had that, great first half from a raft of lads, Timoney, Izzy, Doak. Next weekend going to be a good one tho. That Cooney injury from making him play on the wing is really roosting
@Thesaltyurchin: Ulster are a basket case and have been so for quite a while.
@Richard Ford: Yea but it’s all part of the drama, glorious rugby.
@Thesaltyurchin: Not much drama when a team gets battered AGAIN!!!
@Richard Ford: What do you even mean?
@Michael Corkery: Wasn’t overly impressed with Bordeaux, albeit it was always likely they had another gear. Ulster were well in there for an hour.
@Richard Ford: must you parrot that “basket case” tag – BOD was the first to use it and lost the Ulster fans with it. It’s insulting to all those connected with Ulster rugby.
It is such hard work being an ulster supporter. I try to get excited at the start of every season but it’s been two decades of ‘almost but not quite’ or total pish.
@Paul Wilson: from what I can see of the young players you have, I think ye’ll start being competitive from next season. This season will be a struggle though
@Michael Corkery: I don’t know how many more times I can convince myself. I feel like every 2-3 years I say to myself; this next batch of youngsters look brilliant – then they just don’t quite get there. Same with coaches, “this guy took Glasgow to the title with Townsend. This bloke won the U20s” We get the likes of Bowe, Trimble, Best, Ferris who can perform wonders at club and international level but we can’t put together a team to actually win anything. Even Benetton won the Rainbow cup! We are the eternal bridesmaids of the game. At least with the Dragons or Zebre you know where you are and you don’t need to pretend that you might win the league. Jesus Ulster have had more semi’s than a 4am strip club and with the same gratification – “look here’s the prize, no you can’t touch”.
@Paul Wilson: Ulster’s youngsters have looked poor for ages. It’s only now there are some decent prospects. Still, someone needs to tell DH that he should stay out of prop development.
We need to figure out how to properly fund ulster and Connacht to be competitive at this level. Ulster got blown away by UBBs bench
The ulster lads got tired in the second half. They need more rest. They are being flogged to death, poor chaps.
@JJB: Hilarious. The fact is that Ulster have shed a dozen internationals and not replaced them. Go figure.
@JJB: Come and say hi next Friday night.
@Justin Robinson: if they worked on a consistent 23 they actually might have some chance. But Henderson, Izzy, Heron, played so much rugby in November they needed to be rested for Bordeaux – it worked out very well tonight I thought. Poor lads- so tiring carrying water and sitting on their arses. All this rest, It will make Ulster great again. Meanwhile other team’s big players play the big games.
@JJB: Hope your Munster lads enjoyed their rest yesterday. Shame we won’t see you on Friday.
@Justin Robinson: childisn comment. I used your play matches up there in a different time- the pomposity of the Ulster rugby archetype was very overbearing- way too haughty for my liking. I will stay put next week rather than be reacquainted with the condescension. Indeed that haughtiness is so anochronistic. The only player with any value to Ireland today is the lad from Offaly – an irony in itself. The rest are peripheral and need more rest as they move towards retirement.
@JJB: That’s a shame. You’d be very welcome. Not much pomposity where I stand. Izzy is English but Ireland are going to need to make a bigger number 6 shirt.
@Justin Robinson: A lot of inaccuracies in that last post but there you go …. Keep resting them superstars up there! Loads of cotton wool available if needed so they stay intact. Poor lads …. Such a tough life.
@JJB: Could be said that ‘pomposity’ makes a change from ‘arrogance’ from a certain other province. Your mention of overbearing, condescension and haughtiness makes me think you belong to a Bertie Wooster novel and you’ve never set foot in a rugby club anywhere north of Dundalk.
@Keno: I am not well read like yourself. Never heard of B Wooster- the plebian that I am – so sorry. Regretfully I saw more matches beyond Dundalk that I care to remember – no fond memories to be honest in the round.
Was the referee Italian?
@Brian Kernahan: yes, and a good Referee.