PAT Bonner reckons Sir Alex Ferguson got it wrong when he claimed his former Republic of Ireland team mate Roy Keane wasn’t a world-class talent.
Sir Alex raised eyebrows after his new book Leading was released in September when he stated he had just worked with four world-class players during his lengthy managerial career.
The Scot, who was in charge of Manchester United for 27 years, reckoned only Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes could be placed in that category.
The 70-year-old described Keane, Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson as “big influences” who “had wonderful desire and made sure they were the best players”.
But Bonner, who was on the Irish back-room team at the 2002 World Cup when Keane had his infamous bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy and returned home, disagrees with that.
He said: “I got on very well with Roy when I played with him. There is no question he was a magnificent player.
“I was surprised when Alex didn’t pick him in that group of world-class players that he had. I think he should have been in there.
“In my opinion he was world-class. In fact, there is no question of that. Johnny Giles, Liam Brady, Paul McGrath and Roy Keane were world-class players. You can’t deny Roy that status.”
Bonner, who became goalkeeping coach with Ireland after winning 80 caps for his country, recounts the fall-out between Keane and McCarthy in his new autobiography, The Last Line.
The former Celtic keeper believes the midfielder, who had a stormy relationship with the Republic boss before the finals in Japan and South Korea, was always likely to walk out.
“Denis Irwin and John O’Shea roomed with Roy so they probably had decent relationships with him, but he’s not an easy guy to get close to,” he said.
“But that’s fine. There’s no problem with that. As a player, you don’t have to be friendly with everybody, just as long as you perform on the pitch.
“International football is a little bit different because you aren’t with the other players on a daily basis. Roy did his own thing, fine, let him get on with it, as long as he performs.
“But I didn’t think his mind was right in Saipan. There was something up with him and it affected his own mentality and it came to a head with Mick.
“I got caught up with it a little bit (Bonner was involved in a training ground argument with Keane the day before).
“But those things happen in any team. I had far worse fall outs with the likes of Tommy Burns, Mick McCarthy and Peter Grant on the training pitch as a player at Celtic.
“Roy wasn’t happy. But I came down for breakfast the next day and spoke to him and as far as I was concerned it was all over. After that, he blew up. I don’t know if he wanted to be there.”
Bonner continued: “I felt sorry for him because it was his World Cup. He was probably responsible for us qualifying. He was the star man. In the play-off game against the Netherlands in Dublin he was magnificent.
“Whenever we went into a play-off game or a big game like that we knew Roy Keane would stand up. He was magnificent.
“So for him not to be able to play in a World Cup for whatever reason was a shame. He should have been on that stage performing. It was unfortunate that it didn’t happen.”
Despite the loss of Keane, the Republic of Ireland finished second in their group and progressed to the first knockout round where they lost to Spain in a penalty shoot-out.
“It shouldn’t have happened, but it (Keane’s walk-out) galvanised the team,” said Bonner. “They were a penalty shoot-out away from equalling what we did in 1990.
“I don’t think the boys got the recognition they deserved for what they achieved in that World Cup and that was a shame.”
He added: “Having said that, I do think what happened was wrong and I wish it hadn’t happened. I would be very much on Mick’s side because he was my boss.
“I think when you are in a team environment the team comes first. I have always said that and I will stick with that for the rest of my days.
“I don’t hold grudges. Mick has spoken to Roy. If Mick can do that then why can’t we all? It affected him more than it affected us.
“Now Roy is an assistant manager (Keane is No.2 to Martin O’Neill with the Republic) I hope he understands that. The team is the most important thing.”
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