Roy Keane: Every Tom, Dick and Harry is claiming to be Irish

Roy Keane has launched a scathing rant at the increasing number of ‘plastic paddies’ on the Irish international soccer team.

English-born players with Irish roots such as Simon Cox and Paul Green have recently declared for the Republic, while the prospect of the likes of Jermaine Pennant, Jamie O’Hara and Mark Noble pulling on the green jersey has also been mooted in recent months.

It is something that has upset many a dyed in the wool follower of the Boys in Green, and although it would be a stretch to put Roy Keane in that category, the former Ireland captain has spoken of his dismay at a development that he feels will dilute the sense of national pride that comes with playing for one’s country.

Speaking to Cork’s Life 93.1 FM, rent-a-quote Keane said: “Eventually it’s going to be spot the Irishman on the pitch.

“I know we have to be open minded over which players are eligible to play for Ireland, but now it’s getting a bit silly. Every Tom, Dick and Harry seems to be claiming to be Irish.”

Keane is more qualified than most to talk about what is becoming a delicate situation considering that he played with a number of British-born players, such as Andy Townsend, Ray Houghton and (cough) Tony Cascarino during his international career, but he feels that in his time, players really wanted to play for Ireland, whereas now it is considered a good career move.

“I know years ago we got stick – people saying it was the England B team,” Keane added.

“But I think there were a lot of lads playing for Ireland or who are in the squad who to me are English through and through.

“They are saying – I probably can’t get capped for another country so I’ll pick Ireland. Players have said that. I know they have. And that’s not the right way to go about things either.”

Since retiring as a player, Keane has become something of a cranky and disillusioned figure and his rants about the game and particularly the Irish team have become commonplace.

Not surprisingly, he didn’t resist the opportunity to stick the boot into the current squad and returned to a favourite theme of his, the lack of impact by the senior players in the Ireland squad, who according to Keane, are talking the talk but not walking the walk.

“I just think more can come from certain players. So-called senior players – you guarantee a week before international matches they are doing a lot of talking, but not too much working.

“The mentality with certain players is not good enough. And that is why they are playing for the clubs they are. I said that, I think, pre-World Cup 2002 and I’m saying that now.

“The so-called big hitters in the Irish team to me now aren’t big hitters. They are not even in their club teams. But they obviously have probably certain pals in the media and they deflect that a little bit.”