“Roy was steaming – all I was thinking was, please don’t come for me!â€
Listen back to Clinton Morrison’s brilliant recollection of the infamous ‘Saipan incident’ which rocked Irish football in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
It’s almost 17 years ago that Roy Keane was sensationally sent home from Republic of Ireland’s World Cup squad before a ball had even been kicked, after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at manager Mick McCarthy at their training base on the Pacific island of Saipan.
4
Keane’s row with McCarthy in Saipan caused a major storm back home in Ireland
The Manchester United legend was unhappy with the preparations of the team ahead of their huge opportunity to shine on the global stage, and challenged his boss in front of the entire team and staff.
Former striker Morrison had a front-row seat as the row unfolded, and he told talkSPORT of how he was sent ducking for cover when it all kicked off.
“Roy wants things done professionally,†the London-born star – who won 36 caps for Republic of Ireland, scoring nine goals – told talkSPORT.
“He was at Manchester United and he said when it comes to the World Cup, he wanted things done properly.
“But the first day we got to Saipan was a nightmare. Our kit went missing and the training facilities were not the best.
“If Roy waited a day, we went to a place called Chiba [near Tokyo, Japan] and it had the best facilities, the pitch was like a carpet. But he’d lost his head the day before, he’d gone mad.â€
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
But that was not the extent of Keano’s gripes. Reports at the time claimed the midfielder was not only unhappy with the facilities, but also their travel arrangements to Saipan, McCarthy’s tactics and even the team’s diet.
It all proved too much for the hot-headed star, who reneged against McCarthy’s strict media ban to lift the lid to the Irish press and things spiralled from there…
Morrison continued: “Mick said to us, ‘no one is allowed to do any interviews’.
“I used to get on with Roy. I used to like getting in his brain and I still speak to him now, I think he’s a wonderful guy. He told me: ‘Make sure you’re here not to make up the numbers, Clinton. You’re here to play.’
4
Morrison and Keane in action for Ireland
“We spoke for an hour and then we went for dinner and we always had a sing-song, so I’m there signing my Irish songs, as I do, and Mick comes in with a paper.
“Roy had obviously had a moan [to the press] about the facilities, and Mick said: ‘I told you not to do any interviews, so why have you done this?’
“Roy said: ‘I did an interview because I wanted to. The set-up, the surroundings, they have not been good enough’.
“They started arguing. I’m thinking, hang on a minute, our best player, the best player Ireland have probably produced for many, many years is there arguing with the manager and the whole squad is watching it.
“He said to Mick: ‘You were a bad player anyway, you had a rubbish first touch and you’re a poor manager. The only manager I respect is Sir Alex Ferguson‘.
4
But it was’t all rosy at Old Trafford, as Keane soon fell out with Ferguson too…
“Then he said: ‘And you’re English, you’re not even Irish!’
“As soon as he said that, I think most people who were born in England put their head under the table. I know I did. I was thinking, please don’t come for me!
“I don’t know if it would have come to blows, but Roy was steaming!
“I think Mick could have done it in a different way, spoke to him one-on-one, because Roy was always ready to blow back then, always fighting things and always ready to go into one.
“They got separated and Roy stood there and said: ‘Go on, Mick. What are you going to do? Make a decision.’
4
Mick McCarthy later resigned as Ireland boss in November 2002, but is now back in the hotseat 17 years on
“So he had to send him home and, literally within two days, he was back in Manchester wearing that horrendous Diadora tracksuit he used to wear walking his dog.
“I couldn’t believe it!â€
Despite losing one of their key players, Ireland made it out of the group stages – finishing runners up to Germany – but went no further than the last-16, where they were beaten by Spain on penalties.
Listen back to talkSPORT’s interview with Clinton Morrison IN FULL above!
Manchester City are 2018/19 Premier League champions, beating Liverpool to the prize in one of the most thrilling title races in years. The battle for silverware went all the way down to the final day, with City entering their match against Brighton one point clear of Liverpool in second.
EPL Table: 2019 Final Standings and Top Scorers After Week 38
May 25, 2019 · C onnor Jennings scored in the final 90 seconds of extra time to earn Tranmere a 1-0 victory in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final against Newport and seal back-to-back promotions.. The Wembley
HOME RAID HELL Brendan Rodgers' 'shaken' family quit Glasgow home early to join ex-Celtic manager in Leicester after raid ordeal at the hands of masked robbers
The Spanish Jamie Vardy: From almost quitting football to a
gistjunction.com/2019/03/27/the-spanish-jamie-vardy-from-almost-quitting-football-to-a-spain-debut-at-30-jaime-mata-is-one-of-the-great-underdog-stories/
PREVIOUS POST Previous post: John Hartson says Brendan Rodgers 'let the Celtic family down' by leaving for Leicester City and should have 'seen out the job' NEXT POST Next post: Alastair Cook: Former England captain hits unbeaten 150 for Essex in first innings since Test retirement
Brendan Rodgers was too much like David Brent to - dofaq.co
English FA Cup Manchester City vs Watford match at May 18 2019.
News24 - How Man Utd could line-up next season with De Ligt and Bruno Fernandes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under pressure to overhaul his Manchester United squad this summer; turfing out the deadwood
Man United boss Solskjaer accepts deals for Jadon Sancho and
Tyson Fury WATCHING Man Utd vs Arsenal: Secret reason for boxer's appearance REVEALED TYSON FURY is at Old Trafford tonight to watch Manchester United vs Arsenal.
Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona: Luke Shaw own goal gives Red
hollywoodadviser.com/manchester-united-0-1-barcelona-luke-shaw-own-goal-gives-red-devils-mountain-to-climb-in-champions-league/
ADVANTAGE BARCA Shaw's 12th-minute own goal was all that separated the two sides in the quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford meaning United will need at least two goals at the Nou Camp to go through Manchester United have it all to do in their Champions League quarter-final after losing the first leg at home to Barcelona 1-0.
Barcelona man last scored an away Champions League goal in
fussboll.com/2019/04/10/barcelona-man-last-scored-an-away-champions-league-goal-in-2015-after-drawing-blank-at-manchester-united/
Barcelona man last scored an away Champions League goal in 2015 after drawing blank at Manchester United. Barcelona man last scored an away Champions League goal in
Barcelona man last scored an away Champions League goal in
Jurgen Klopp refusing to take Premier League advantage for granted Jurgen Klopp insists he is not "an idiot" and is taking nothing for a Morning Briefing of Liverpool FC news,
Liverpool: What it would mean if Jurgen Klopp's side can win
~ Chelsea manager latest: Frank Lampard and Nuno wanted by Blues if Maurizio Sarri is sacked ~ Kenya Latest
Leeds 2-0 Derby: Kemar Roofe and Jack Harrison strike as
Vinnie Jones has joked Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is a better actor than he is after the Egyptian's 'dive' against Cardiff City. Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock accused Salah of going to
'Mohamed Salah went to a better drama school than me
fussboll.com/2019/04/22/mohamed-salah-went-to-a-better-drama-school-than-me-vinnie-jones-on-liverpool-stars-dive-against-cardiff/
'Mohamed Salah went to a better drama school than me!' - Vinnie Jones on Liverpool star's 'dive' against Cardiff Vinnie Jones on Liverpool star's
'Mohamed Salah went to a better drama school than me
Tottenham vs Man City: Mauricio Pochettino ready for his 'biggest moment' in Champions League quarter-final. Spurs manager will lead his side against the Champions League favourites in what is
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City Preview: UEFA Champions
Arsene Wenger EXCLUSIVE: All-English European cup finals due to 'aging squads' of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich 24th May 2019 News Puddle 0 Comments talkSPORT Spread the love
~ Arsene Wenger EXCLUSIVE: All-English European cup finals
After 11 years at Manchester City, Vincent Kompany will leave Manchester City when his contract expires in the summer. He will leave to become player-manager of RSC Anderlecht, his first professional club. The Belgian's time at Manchester City could not have ended better. He captained his side to his second FA Cup triumph as they beat Watford
Captain, Leader, Legend - Vincent Kompany To Leave Manchester
Charlton 2-3 Doncaster (4-4 agg): Addicks set up repeat of 1998 First Division play-off final against Sunderland after penalty shootout win in pulsating clash Charlton booked their place in the League One play-off final after beating Doncaster on penalties on a dramatic night at the Valley.
Sunderland to meet Charlton in League One play-off final in a
Transfer news: Real Madrid 'can afford to sign Eden Hazard AND Paul Pogba this summer', claims Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides
Summer transfer sagas: Will Pogba, Hazard join Real Madrid
Solskjaer is not only winning games like a United manager is expected to win, he is also talking and acting like one. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed Manchester United caretaker manager in
Alan Myers on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first day as Man Utd
0 comments:
Post a Comment