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Cara Sport Giving it to you straight

 
 
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KEANE : GET OVER IT

Roy Keane had little sympathy for the Football Association of Ireland's campaign to have their controversial World Cup play-off against France replayed and said: "What goes around comes around."

The Ipswich manager's relationship with the FAI broke down following his walk-out from the Republic of Ireland training camp prior to the 2002 World Cup.

And he dismissed their calls for "the honesty and integrity" of the sport to be protected in the wake of Thierry Henry's handball which led to France's winner in Paris on Wednesday night.

He told a press conference broadcast by Sky Sports News: "I think the supporters deserve better, the manager (Giovanni Trapattoni) deserves better and probably most of the players deserve better, but I'm not sure the FAI deserve better.

"What goes around comes around."

Keane pointed out that controversial decisions also went Ireland's way in the qualifying campaign, not least a harsh penalty award against Georgia which helped them to claim a 2-1 qualifying win in February.

He added: "Ireland had their chances in the two games (against France), and they never took them. But it's the usual FAI reaction - 'we've been robbed, the honesty of the game...'

"There was one match against Georgia where Ireland got a penalty and it was one of the worst decisions I've ever seen which changed the whole course of the game.

"I don't remember the FAI after the game saying we should give them a replay."

Talking specifically about France's winner, Keane laid the blame on Ireland's defence rather than Henry, who handled the ball before crossing for William Gallas to head in.

"I'd focus on why they didn't clear it," he said.

"I'd be more annoyed with my defenders and my goalkeeper than Thierry Henry. How can you let the ball bounce in your six-yard box? How can you let Thierry Henry get goal-side of you?

"If the ball goes into the six-yard box, where the hell is my goalkeeper?"

Keane's antipathy towards the FAI stems back to the Pacific island of Saipan seven years ago when he left the team's pre-World Cup training camp, complaining that the facilities were sub-standard.

"People seem to forget what was going on in that World Cup, and that man (FAI chief executive John Delaney) is on about honesty. I was one of the players and he didn't have the courtesy to ring me," he said.

"I'd been involved with Ireland since I was 15 years of age and that man didn't have the decency to make a phone call. He could have phoned me, of course he could have."

McGeady happy with new beginning 

Aiden McGeady admits he is relieved to have been handed a new start at Celtic following the arrival of Tony Mowbray as the club's new manager.

McGeady has spoken for the first time about his two-week suspension at the turn of the year following a dressing-room row with Gordon Strachan.

"It was a real low point in my career," said the midfielder.

"I just look to learn from it. In football, you've got to try to take something positive from everything."

The 23-year-old is feeling good about his relationship with Mowbray after a promising pre-season under the man who arrived from West Brom.

"When you get a new manager it's always going to be a new start," said McGeady.

"After what happened between me and the old gaffer, I'm glad to have a new start.

"What happened wasn't great. It was just one of those things which sometimes happens in football.

"You can have a falling-out with a coach. It's happened to a lot of players in the past and I'm sure it'll happen in the future."

McGeady has been impressed by Mowbray, who takes charge of his first competitive match on Wednesday when Dinamo Moscow visit Celtic Park for a Champions League qualifier.

"He comes across as a good guy with good morals," said the Republic of Ireland international, speaking after Celtic lifted the Wembley Cup following a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

"The coaching staff have been great so far and the training has been good.

"He gets his points across at training and all the boys have been very happy with the way things have gone."

Celtic striker Scott McDonald said that Mowbray had handed more responsibility to McGeady and fellow wide man Shaun Maloney.

"The way that Aiden and Shaun are playing, they are getting the freedom to roam, that will make it difficult for teams to cope with us," said the Australian.

"We always played attacking football, but players are being allowed to express themselves more."

Celtic's first competitive test comes on Wednesday, when Dinamo Moscow arrive for the first leg of a Champions League qualifier.

"We played against Spartak a few years ago, so we know what to expect when we get to Russia," said McDonald.

"But we need to concentrate on the game at home and we are confident as the preparation has been fantastic."