In the event you were watching tonight's final World Cup game between Nigeria and Croatia on RTE 2, you will have missed Roy Keane's fairly blunt assessment of what was going on in the tie over on ITV.
With the Croatians leading Nigeria 1-0 at half-time, Keane surmised that he had no real idea why Nigeria had been tipped as a surprise package for this World Cup, and felt that there were 'goals here for Croatia' if they really went for it.
Accusing the Nigerian side of having 'no game plan', showing 'no belief' and putting in 'no tackles', he reduced the performance to something you would see in a friendly. Although Croatia did appear the stronger of both sides at the half-way mark, Keane has come in for a fair amount of criticism from fans more sympathetic to the Nigerian performance.
Why is Roy Keane so upset with Nigeria! Did they reject his application for the manager’s job! He defo went Lagos for an interview...Came back with a Super Burnt Tan!!! 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🙅🏾♂️
— Eddie Kadi (@EddieKadi) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane makes mark lawrenson sound like an optimist...
— Darran Ball (@baller6times) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane chatting shit
— Michael 'Buck' Maris (@buckotb) June 16, 2018
I’ve seen and heard it all... Roy Keane (world renowned for rationality) says ‘They need to lighten up’ CROvNIG
— John Williamson (@razor_grinder) June 16, 2018
Is Roy Keane getting paid for this - disgrace! #itvsport
— Garry Worthington (@garryworth) June 16, 2018
Has Roy Keane ever enjoyed anything?
— mark mcalindon (@markmmcalindon) June 16, 2018
Nigeria's fairly lacklustre second-half performance hardly improved Keane's opinion of them. Going down 2-0 to Croatia after a Luka Modric penalty, Keane couldn't help himself.
Singling out the penalty incident, Keane surmised that the offence signaled a 'form of cheating,' and he was 'glad [Nigeria] got punished for it.'
That being said, both Slaven Bilic and Lee Dixon were unanimous in the studio, suggesting that Croatia hardly needed to 'break a sweat' in their victory.
Needless to say, this only served to infuriate many who disagreed with Keane further still.
Does Roy Keane want me to hate his guts or something “I’m pleased he got punished” a statement mad about our defender who fouled but not in any malicious way?
— Wave Master (@wavyboysmith) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane talking about cheating. Didn't he try to end another professional player's career with a pre-meditated stamp? Wind it in, son #CRONGA
— Emeka Frederick (@efrederick90) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane called Troost Ekong penalty foul 'cheating'. Get this idiot off TV.
— Raymond (@Mundus1010) June 16, 2018
This Roy Keane guy can piss off
— akudo💙 (@akudo_simi) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane why is he given air time. Miserable and useless
— Peter Berwick (@peter_berwick) June 16, 2018
There was also a great deal of consideration for Keane's apparent ill-feeling toward Bilic; the former West Ham coach getting a little too close than many suspect Keane would enjoy.
I'm convinced Roy Keane is going to kill Slavan Bilic if he keeps touching his shoulder 😂 #CRONGA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/W3PtwrmxJf
— JP (@BobProcterr) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane and Slaven Bilić are going to have an actual fist fight by... I was going to say the end of this competition but I think maybe by the end of the ad break?
— Dr Charlotte Lydia Riley (@lottelydia) June 16, 2018
I reckon there will be a Keane/Bilic punch up before full time
— Syed Naqui (@Superspur73) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane did NOT enjoy the physical contact from Slaven Bilic.
— Game of Throw-ins (@GameofThrowIns) June 16, 2018
Roy Keane doesn't like Slavin Bilic does he?
— Dave Seddon (@Sedds_lep) June 16, 2018
I've seen Bilic touch Keane on the arm twice now. Fully expect to see his bloodied corpse on full display during halftime.
— GM (@chufnuts) June 16, 2018
