Martin O'Neill has hit the headlines in recent days, with the former Celtic and Ireland manager taking no prisoners in his new autobiography.
The 70-year old has never been one to lie down and take criticism, especially from certain members of the media. While his time in management is now likely over, he has used this opportunity to take a final swipe at those who have made comments about him in the past.
That includes members of the current Ireland setup.
In his new autobiography On Days Like These, he hinted that he was taking pleasure in seeing Keith Andrews Ireland struggle for results while with Ireland after he had criticised O'Neill in the past.
He would go on to double down on those comments in a subsequent interview in The Guardian.
If Roy Keane was doing punditry work and said I’d made a mess of something, I might disagree but I would accept it from someone who has played at that level, has managed himself and knows the pressures you are under.
I have a level of earned respect for that opinion but not a lower-leaguer who wouldn’t know what it is like to win a medal. And who is now finding how difficult it is to win football matches.
It was a rather harsh comment, one that gives an insight as to how O'Neill views others in the game.
Josh Cullen backs Keith Andrews after Martin O'Neill comments
Keith Andrews may not have won the same amount of trophies as Martin O'Neill as a player, but he did carve out a very respectable career in the game. As a coach, anyone who has worked with him has had only good things to say about him.
Speaking ahead of Ireland's game against Norway, Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen said that Andrews was a real asset to the team. He also said that he had played a big role in helping the Burnley midfielder be named FAI Senior International Player of the Year for 2022:
I can only speak on the dealings I've had with Keith personally and he's been fantastic around the place.
I think he's a top coach and still probably at the early stages of his career. The detail he gives us in training and meetings is brilliant and I think he's been a massive part of the progress the team's made over the last couple of years and I'm sure he'll have a big future as a coach as well...
He said congratulations (on the award). Keith's been brilliant for me as well over the last couple of years like the manager showing trust in me to be a big part of the team and Keith's also backed the manager up in the same way and helped me develop my game.
So to follow in the footsteps and win the award like Keith did is brilliant and a big thanks to him for everything he's done over the last couple of years.
Keith Andrews himself won that same award back in 2012.
Ireland will take on Norway tomorrow night, hoping to end 2022 on a high after what has been a rather up and down year.
We're sure Martin O'Neill will be watching closely looking for an opportunity to throw a dig at someone if things don't go well.
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