Roy Keane has detailed what life was like playing for the Republic of Ireland at World Cups.
The Cork native has claimed that he was under constant pressure from then Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson while going away with Ireland during his international career/
The former Ireland captain went to two World Cups with Ireland in 1994 and 2002 and is famously known for his footballing ability, leadership and departure from Saipan in 2002.
With the World Cup around the corner, Keane was speaking during a World Cup lunch with Sky Bet where he went into more detail.
He also opened up also about his favourite to win it this year, and his experience at USA 94
‘I found it bizarre’ – Roy Keane reveals how Alex Ferguson ‘constantly pressured’ him not to play for Ireland https://t.co/jvYMz9YBLn
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Roy Keane 'I was under constant pressure from Manchester United when I went away with Ireland'
“I was under constant pressure when I was going away with Ireland from the Manchester United manager. Constantly told, you shouldn’t be going over.'
'Even if you weren’t injured and you had a little knock, they wouldn’t want you going, it was constant pressure. I used to see other lads going away and it used to frustrate me, I always felt like they looked at Ireland as maybe not as important as England.'
“I thought the club and the manager had an issue with me going to play with Ireland and it used to drive me mad, and it put you under huge pressure. I found it very strange and bizarre why a manager would do that to any player.”
Roy Keane 'Brazil will win the World Cup'
“I always go back to when I was a child growing up, I always had a soft spot for Brazil. I want to see how well Brazil are going to do, I have a strong feeling about Brazil, with the players they have I fancy them.”
Paolo Rossi of Italy competes for the ball with Leovegildo Lins da Gama Júnior of Brazil. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)Roy Keane 'We had so much freedom as a team at the 1994 World Cup'
“When I was away with Republic of Ireland you hoped you’d get a good dressing room, so at least you have a bit of a crack when you’re out there, and with Ireland we probably got more freedom than you would have gotten with England.
We were allowed to go out and have a few drinks, it was good for the spirit of the Irish players.
If we were locked up constantly where we couldn’t have a few drinks, we’d have lost the plot. 1994 was brilliant for us, we were serious when we had to be but when we got a chance for a night out or to go to a waterpark, we went for it.”
The world Cup begins this Sunday at 8pm,
Here a full preview of details for the group stages
