Roy Keane blasts Everton FC boss Roberto Martinez over James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman
“You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk," said the Republic of Ireland number two
Roy Keane has taken a swipe at Everton FC boss Roberto Martinez by accusing him of putting James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman “under pressure” to pull out of Republic of Ireland games.
McCarthy missed Friday night’s Euro qualifier with Scotland due to a hamstring complaint picked up in the Blues 1-1 draw with Sunderland but Coleman, who has been nursing a cut across his Achilles, played in the match at Celtic Park.
Keane, however, claims Martinez is damaging Ireland’s Euro 2016 hopes by encouraging the influential pair not to risk further injury by turning out for their country.
Martinez has always backed Everton’s players representing their country but, understandably, would not want Ireland to gamble on the fitness of either player if they are carrying injuries.
“I worry that he is under lots of pressure, particularly from Everton’s point of view,” Keane said of McCarthy.
“Every time an international match comes around, it always seems to be Seamus and James who are under pressure. They’re turning up or they mightn’t turn up, or they’re struggling
“But I think Martin [O’Neill] has been more than fair when it comes to friendlies.
“These are big qualifying matches now.
“Ask most international managers and it’s a difficult role when a player turns up and he isn’t quite fit or he is struggling, we’ve had that a number of times with lots of players.
“It’s the big downside of international football, you have to be fair to their club and the player, but you also want them out there representing your country.
“It’s difficult for James as well. There is a player between the two managers, I know from experience, they’re under pressure.”
And Keane wants McCarthy and Coleman to take the lead when it comes to making decisions on their own fitness.
“It was a difficult one, but sometimes it’s up to the player to say I’m going,” said Keane, speaking to the national press.
“No matter what my club manager says, no matter what the scan says, I’m going to try and train.
“You do know your own body. If there are mixed messages every time he comes over, then it’s up to the player. I’ve experienced it myself [at Manchester United].
“You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk, that type of thing. So when they turn up and they’re walking through reception, it’s praise the Lord.
“If it carries on next year, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on James. Roberto has never played at senior international level and maybe he doesn’t realise how big the games are for us. We could argue all day, I just think we need to get the balance right for the qualifiers. I think Martin has been more than good.”
Source: Echo
