Roy Keane was left conflicted by England’s brutal demolition of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday evening.
After Heimir Hallgrímsson’s Ireland put in a hugely encouraging and impressive first-half performance, there was genuine hope that a famous result could be got to finish off this Nations League group.
However, Liam Scales’ red card shortly after half time opened the floodgates, and it was to instead turn into a chastening conclusion to the campaign for the Boys in Green.
10-man Ireland were ripped apart by a rejuvenated England attack, with goals from Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and debutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis securing a humbling 5-0 defeat for the visitors.
It was the scorer of that fifth goal that will have left Roy Keane conflicted.
Earlier this week, the wider football public learned that Harwood-Bellis is soon to wed to Keane’s daughter Leah, creating an unexpected level of intrigue around the Southampton man for his first camp in the England squad.
With Keane in the ITV studio to dissect England’s demolition job at Wembley, it was only natural he would be asked about his soon-to-be son-in-law’s contribution to the 5-0 win.
The ex-Ireland captain delivered a typically ruthless line which summed up his mixed feelings towards the situation.
READ HERE: Hamann Stunned Ireland Were Denied ‘Stonewall’ Penalty Versus England
READ HERE: Roy Keane Had Brilliant Cork One-Liner While Praising Caoimhín Kelleher
Roy Keane had very on-brand response to Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ goal v Ireland
As the ITV panel looked over Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ first goal for England – the fifth of their 5-0 win over Ireland – Roy Keane admitted it was a “bittersweet” moment for him.
When host Mark Pougatch explained the situation to viewers who may have been in the dark, Keane delivered a sensational line and jokingly suggested there may be consequences for Harwood-Bellis for scoring against Ireland.
Pougatch: “Not everyone knows that is your future son-in-law”
Keane: “Yea, it’s not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household let me tell you.”
Pougatch and Ian Wright were in stitches as Keane wryly grinned, before he made his true feelings clear.
Though Keane was understandably fuming with the final score at Wembley, he did admit that he was delighted for his daughter’s fiancé.
He gave Harwood-Bellis his seal of approval, hailing him as a “nice kid” – while Pougatch noted that the future Keane family member had one stat to hold over his future father-in-law.
Keane: “Over the last few months, he’s got a goal threat, even playing for Southampton. It’s nice for him.”
Pougatch: “He may just mention at your christmas lunch that he scored on his debut but it took you more than three years to get your first interntional goal.”
Keane: “Is that right? Three years…he’s a nice kid. His family have a done a great job. He’s a really nice kid.”
It was a nice moment that showed both sides to Roy Keane.
We’re sure that Taylor Harwood-Ellis might try to steer clear of mentioning this game again if he ends up sat beside Keane at the dinner table this Christmas.