Roy Keane has continued his verbal attacks on Mick McCarthy,branding the Republic of Ireland coach a liar, for accusing the player of faking an injury.
According to Keane’s autobiography, ‘The Game’, currently being serialised in The Times, Keane stated: “I know that time is a great healer and all that but it is still very raw to me.
“It still hurts me and I still feel bitter. Bitter and twisted towards these people.
“I saw him on Football Focus saying ‘I don’t appreciate being called an effing w and an effing c’. But if you say I am faking injury and letting my team-mates down, then dead right.
The allegation stems from the Republic of Irelands second leg World Cup play-off game with Iran, a match Keane missed through injury.
“To me, that is the worst insult you can have. Why hasn’t anyone asked him why he said what he did and why he wanted me out?”
Asked about Ireland’s World Cup performance under McCarthy, Keane is equally scathing.
“The World Cup? They did OK, but that’s what they expected because themanager drums that into the team,” he said. “We’ve done well to qualify, all that nonsense. That’s the problem. That sums up the mentality.
“Spain had 10 men for half an hour, the game was there for the taking. I think a more astute manager would have won the game. Some people have higher standards than others.”
Keane also confirmed that he would like top represent his country again but would not play again under McCarthy.
“Mick has two years left on his contract, and obviously I will never play for him again,” Keane declared.
“In two years, if some chairman is daft enough to give him a job and someone else comes in, I will look at it again.
“I would not like to finish my international career on that note. Some people seem to think it doesn’t bother me. Of course it bothers me to have missed the World Cup.”
