Martin O'Neill plays down talk of unrest in Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Euro 2016
Tuesday 7 June 2016 13:37, UK
Martin O'Neill has played down any suggestions of unrest among the Republic of Ireland squad in the wake of their defeat to Belarus.
Several players were said to be angry at assistant manager Roy Keane's withering assessment of the Republic's performance in their 2-1 defeat at Turner's Cross last Tuesday evening.
Keane joked at one point he wanted to "kill" some of the players, while Everton winger Aiden McGeady came in for particular criticism for a lacklustre display.
O'Neill admitted Keane's words were on the "strong" side and revealed the former Manchester United and Ireland skipper had since spoken to McGeady face-to-face.
"Roy's already had a word with him," said O'Neill.
"Roy's words were slightly on the strong side. Any pieces of criticism the players get from Roy or myself they take on board or dismiss it accordingly.
"The reaction of the players, I have to say, has been very strong. If the Belarus game was a bit of blip with some of the players being a bit rusty, then that's absolutely fine.
"It was a godsend to have that game because some of the players hadn't played much football and needed it."
O'Neill also apologised for making an "inappropriate" comment in Cork last week.
The 64-year-old said at the city's Opera House last Wednesday that he had taken coaches Steve Guppy and Steve Walford to the Superbowl in America so people did not think he and assistant Roy Keane were "queers".
Addressing the matter at Abbotstown on Monday afternoon, O'Neill said: "If I had made inappropriate comments, then I obviously apologise. I will attempt during the rest of my time not to make such inappropriate comments."
