ROY KEANE CRITICISM ‘BANG ON’, SAYS JAMES MCCLEAN

The West Bromwich Albion midfielder and Everton’s Seamus Coleman felt that the Ireland assistant manager’s comments were needed ahead of Euro 2016

James McClean says that Roy Keane was “bang on” in his criticism of the Republic of Ireland following their Euro 2016 warm-up friendly defeat against Belarus.

The Boys in Green were beaten 2-1 at Turner’s Cross on Tuesday evening and Keane said that it was a “reality check” for some of the players within the squad.

“I wanted to kill some of them last night,” the Ireland assistant manager told reporters on Wednesday. “They should count their blessings they’ve managed to get on the flight [to France] – a reality check for one or two players who thought they were good players.”

Keane’s comments surprised many, but McClean believed it was exactly what the 23-man squad needed to hear ahead of their departure for France next Wednesday.

“I think Roy’s comments were pretty much bang on,” said the West Bromwich Albion midfielder. “Obviously he’s not afraid to speak his mind and that’s the way it should be.

“You should be putting 110 per cent in every performance you give and even if you don’t have the best game you can at least say you put a shift in.”

Everton full-back Seamus Coleman was also in agreement with the Ireland assistant, but doubts that there are any commitment issues amongst the squad that trained under blistering heat again at the Fota Island Resort in Cork.

“I don’t think Roy Keane will have to say that to anyone. As professional footballers we should know to keep our standards up at all times,” said Coleman.

“That’s coming from Roy but if there’s anyone in the squad that doesn’t know that there’s something wrong.”

For the ex-Sligo Rovers player, this tournament offers him an opportunity to make up for lost time having missed Ireland’s disappointing campaign in Poland and Ukraine four years ago.

“I couldn’t wait to hopefully get to a major tournament with my country and we’ve done that,” added Coleman.

“This time last year it looked like it would be a hard task after the Scotland game but we dug deep and we played well since then and got through against Bosnia and since then we’ve enjoyed it. Now it’s getting closer we have to do a job.