Ross Wallace has been speaking to the Celtic View Podcast, reflecting on Roy Keane’s time at Celtic Park and his personality more generally. Wallace was of course a teammate of Keane’s when the Republic of Ireland man joined the club as a free agent after leaving Man United in 2005. Wallace was an aspiring Celtic first-team player and was surprised when Keane came up to the Scottish Premiership.
Having a preconception about how Keane would be after watching from afar at his fiery character out there on the football pitch, Wallace was taken aback when Roy turned out to be quite different from what he had initially conceived of the ex-Manchester United captain.
“It was a bit of a strange one actually because we obviously thought he would have that connection with the older players, the former Sunderland and Burnley player said. “But he never. He came right in with the younger lads.
“I think he came into our group which had big Stephen McManus and John Kennedy – all the younger lads. We used to drive to Barrowfield and he used to jump in with us to go to training. You’d think he would jump in with the older and experienced lads. You’d be there in your Corsa and little Volkswagen Polo and you’ve got Roy Keane there sitting in the back.
“Those are little pinch-yourself moments, he was brilliant with the young lads. He was a totally different character to what you see on the TV.” Wallace revealed.
Keane didn’t manage to play for the Hoops for what you would call an extensive period of time, and most likely just wanted to say that he pulled on the famous green and white jersey (as they always do!). However he did have a memorable match against Rangers where he bossed the now liquidated football club in their own backyard at Ibrox. He went onto retire after that short spell in Glasgow’s East End and then headed into management with Sunderland.
Wallace was one of his first signings and the ex-winger revealed that Keane has a softer and more humorous side from what is portrayed on television and the media. The now Burnley coach said: “When I moved to Sunderland I’d see some people getting the wrath of Keano, but at Celtic I think he was quite subdued and laid back. He ended up picking up a hamstring injury and I don’t think he and Gordon saw eye-to-eye.
“I think he wanted to fulfill playing for Celtic as he was a Celtic man. He wanted that experience of playing for the club. But in terms of the younger lads, he was brilliant with us and attached himself to us which was strange! You’ve got this thing with Roy where he’s always quite stern and straight-faced but he loved a laugh and a joke as well.
He said: “The first day when I went down to Sunderland to meet him and sign, he walks into the living room and asks if I want a cup of tea. Then he has a high chair sitting up there and tried to put me in the high chair! Just little things like that, the little one-liners and jokes. He was brilliant, it just settles you right away and we obviously went on to have a successful season.”
Paul Gillespie
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