Having earned 67 caps during a 14-year international career, Roy Keane would have had a huge number of teammates during his time with Ireland.
It’s fair to say that the Cork man didn’t always get on with all of them, most notably towards the end of his time with his country. In saying that, he did enjoy his time in green, especially during the earlier portion of his career.
Roy Keane often reflects fondly on those days, having had plenty of good times during Jack Charlton’s reign. He how now shared one such story from that period.
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Roy Keane Recalls Ireland Teammate’s Hilarious Jersey Faux Pas
Bernie Slaven is not someone who made a massive impact during his time with Ireland, earning seven caps in green during the early 90s. While he was not a major contributor on the pitch, one particular incident involving the Scottish-born striker made a lasting impression on Roy Keane.
Speaking on Stick to Football in association with Sky Bet, he recalled how Slaven was almost forced to wear a jersey covered in his teammates’ signatures for an international fixture.
When we used to go with Ireland, back in the day you would have a squad of 18. There would always be a couple of extra players.
Bernie Slaven used to come up. Bernie had been left out a number of times, but you still get a jersey.
What Bernie used to do was go around and get his jersey signed by all the players, because he was saying ‘I will be left out’.
There was one time where he was told he was sub. He was one the bench with his jersey and all the signatures of the players! If he had to go on, he had the jersey with all the signatures.
It was brilliant. I was thinking ‘I hope he comes on with the lads’ signatures on’.
Seeing someone take to the pitch wearing a jersey covered signatures certainly would have been quite the sight.
Judging by these comments, Roy Keane certainly seems a bit annoyed that it didn’t happen.
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