Roy Keane is softer than you think, says Jason McAteer
Monday 16 November 2015 15:13, UK
Jason McAteer insists Roy Keane is much softer than people think and his hard man image is a "persona" for the media.
The former Liverpool midfielder played alongside Keane for the Republic of Ireland between 1994 and 2004 and says he has a good sense of humour around his team mates.
Keane currently works as assistant manager to Martin O'Neill with the Republic of Ireland and is famed for talking tough in press conferences, but McAteer told Goals on Sunday it's all an act.
"What you see on the telly when he's doing press conferences, that's his character. He's not like that really," he said.
"Does he play a role? I think he does... well I know he does. He can play it to the media and the public and he has this hard-man persona.
"But he has got a sense of humour and he is funny when he wants to be.
"Is he softer in the dressing room? Very much so. He will get annoyed, but he'd be a lot softer than you'd think and what you know of him."
Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first leg of their European Qualifers play-off and will look to book their place at Euro 2016 in Monday's return leg.
And McAteer says Keane will demand high standard of the current squad, just as he did when he was a player himself.
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He added: "He is very demanding. He wants you to reach the heights that he demands.
"I remember we went away and played Holland and went 2-0 up in the first game of the campaign and we ended up drawing 2-2.
"We were sat there celebrating as if it was a great result and he was fuming that we'd give the two goals away. He was fuming and you look at it and think 'he's right'.
"He demands and it brings the best out of you."
