Roy Keane “should remorse” strolling out on the Republic of Eire squad earlier than the 2002 World Cup, in accordance with his former team-mate Shay Given.
The previous Manchester United midfielder famously fell out with supervisor Mick McCarthy throughout preparations for the event in Japan and South Korea.
Keane, then the Eire captain, subsequently left the squad earlier than the event began.
Eire went on to get pleasure from a profitable event, ending second of their group behind Germany and forward of Cameroon and Saudi Arabia to achieve the final 16, the place they misplaced on penalties to Spain.
Talking in an interview with FFT, Given couldn’t assist however surprise what may have been had occasions gone in another way.
“I loved supporting Eire virtually as a lot as I did enjoying for them. Rising up within the Jack Charlton period, everybody fell in love with the nationwide group and I used to be no completely different,” mentioned the previous goalkeeper.
“He raised the bar: the Eire group I performed for was below strain to achieve the requirements set by our predecessors below Huge Jack, and so they weren’t a straightforward act to comply with.
“However we had some fantastic gamers ourselves in Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Niall Quinn and, after all, Roy Keane.
“I typically surprise if we might have eradicated Spain if Roy hadn’t walked out of the squad.
“I’m certain he should remorse every little thing that occurred greater than anybody. I’d like to ask him now within the chilly mild of day if he needs he’d stayed with us.”
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