Roy Keane was irritated by the performance of several English internationals in the Nations League match against Ireland. The former Manchester United midfielder found the 'arrogant' attitude of several players inappropriate.
England’s 2-0 victory over Ireland in the Nations League match may have been celebrated by some, but it did not escape the sharp criticism of Roy Keane, who was unimpressed with the team's performance, particularly in the second half.
Keane, a former Manchester United captain and Ireland legend, served as a pundit for ITV and was vocal about his disappointment, especially with how England allowed their level to drop after a dominant first half.
In the opening 45 minutes, England looked sharp, controlling the game with fluid passing, high energy, and effective decision-making. The goals from Jack Grealish and Declan Rice, both of whom have Irish ancestry, put England in a strong position early in the match. Grealish, known for his creativity, and Rice, a dynamic midfielder, gave England a 2-0 lead that seemed to signal a straightforward victory over an Ireland side that struggled to impose itself on the game.
Interim manager Lee Carsley, standing in for Gareth Southgate, was likely relieved by the result in his first game in charge. The victory provided a good start for his temporary tenure, and he had reason to be optimistic given the way England controlled the first half. Carsley’s selections appeared to be working well, with the team moving the ball swiftly and creating chances. However, despite the win, Carsley’s satisfaction was not shared by everyone.
Roy Keane, known for his no-nonsense approach to both playing and punditry, was harsh in his assessment. Despite praising England's first-half display, Keane felt that the team lost focus in the second half and played with an air of complacency. "In the first half, England made all the right choices," Keane remarked. "But in the second half, it was a completely different story. The performance was sloppy, and players started playing for themselves rather than for the team."
Keane’s criticism did not stop at England’s established stars. He took particular issue with the substitutes who came on in the second half, pointing out Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, and Eberechi Eze. According to Keane, these young players failed to grasp the significance of the moment. With Ireland offering little resistance, Keane expected the substitutes to seize the opportunity to make a real impact, especially since they are on the fringes of the squad and fighting for more prominent roles in future selections.
“Even the substitutes were just jogging around with a sense of arrogance,” Keane said. "They had a chance to make a statement, but they didn’t seem to recognize that. As an attacking player, you need to realize there were goals there for the taking, but they were content to just cruise through the game."
Keane’s frustration stemmed from what he perceived as a lack of professionalism and a missed opportunity for England to push for a bigger win. He argued that a weak Ireland side, which struggled to create meaningful chances, was ripe for a more significant defeat, and England should have capitalized on that. Instead, the second half saw a drop in intensity, with individualism creeping into the performance. "If you're on the pitch, especially in a game like this, you have to keep your foot on the gas and keep playing with purpose," Keane stated.
Keane’s remarks also touched on the wider implications for England's younger players. With the competition for places in the squad fierce, especially heading into major tournaments, performances like this, where players seem to coast when given an opportunity, will not go unnoticed by the coaching staff. Keane emphasized that every minute on the field is a chance to prove oneself, particularly for those who are still trying to solidify their position within the national team.
His criticism wasn’t just aimed at the players but also indirectly at the management, suggesting that England could have pushed for a larger scoreline if the right mentality had been maintained throughout the match. Keane noted that teams at the highest level do not allow complacency to set in and that England should aspire to this kind of consistency if they are to challenge for honors in the future.
For Ireland, the defeat highlighted the gap in quality between the two sides. Keane acknowledged that his former national team was outplayed and lacked the strength to compete with England, describing Ireland’s performance as that of a “beaten team.” The match illustrated the rebuilding work that Ireland has ahead of them, as they struggled to challenge England’s dominance, particularly in the first half.
In conclusion, while the result was favorable for England, the performance, especially in the second half, left much to be desired in the eyes of Roy Keane. His scathing assessment serves as a reminder that in international football, even in games where victory seems assured, maintaining intensity and discipline is key. For players on the fringes of the squad, it was a missed opportunity to impress, and for England as a whole, it was a performance that, despite the win, may prompt further reflection.
