If you thought Roy Keane’s comments on Thursday night were bad…

Wait until you see what he’s had to say about the Irish team in his column in today’s Irish Sun on Sunday. Let’s just say he doesn’t exactly hold back.

The former Irish skipper divided the nation like seemingly only he can with his comments in the wake of Ireland’s humbling defeat to Spain on Thursday night, suggesting that Irish fans shouldn’t be happy to just “go along for the sing-song every now and again”.

Keano’s comments had everyone talking on Friday and typically with Roy, the reaction seemed to be split down the middle, although a poll conducted on our site on Friday suggested that the majority of people agreed with his views on the need for a change of mentality amongst Irish supporters.

What Keane had to say in the ITV studio on Thursday night pales into comparison with his stinging attack on the Irish team in his column in today’s Irish Sun on Sunday, however. As is his wont, the former Manchester United and Ireland skipper pulls no punches.

Following two disastrous defeats in the tournament to date and with nothing but pride to play for against Italy, Keane said he would change the entire team for the final group game, saying: “Their club form is poor and no player has come out of the two games in Poland with any credit. Not one. That’s why I think there should be 11 changes for when we play Italy tomorrow.”

Keane also attacked the status of some of the senior players in the Irish squad and hit out at the fact that they seem to be living on reputations that he doesn’t believe they’ve done anything to earn.

“The likes of Robbie, Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and John O’Shea are picked for every game because they have a big reputation,” he added.

“For what? They hadn’t qualified for anything in ten years.

“They love having a dig back at me when I say something but I’ll be ready if they do because players have to be accountable for how the team did.

“I’m sure they have people patting them on the back saying ‘You lost but you did OK.’ But they bloody didn’t.”

The comments above are just a taste of Keane’s criticism and if you want to read the column in full you can do so here. On first reading, they seem just a tad over the top, but no doubt the reaction will be split down the middle once again.

If you thought the Keano furore had died down somewhat since Thursday night, think again.