McCarthy hints apology could let Keane return

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Ireland squad tells Keane: Stay at home

McCarthy hints apology could let Keane return

Keane: 'I still want to play in the World Cup'

Keane is not the sole culprit in collision of grand egos

Mick McCarthy, the Republic of Ireland's manager, showed no sign early today of being willing to accommodate Roy Keane's desire to return to his squad to play in the World Cup, purely on the basis of an emotional televised interview.

The banished captain, sent home from here after an abusive outburst directed at McCarthy, appeared on a special programme broadcast before the evening news on RTE television yesterday, effectively challenging the manager, to invite him back into the squad. Keane said in the interview that he would "love to be back" in the Republic's World Cup team.

McCarthy's response indicated that Keane had not done the right things to reopen a chapter the manager had considered closed. He indicated that the position would not change unless he received a personal apology from Keane.

He said here this morning: "He has spoken on television to three and a half million people but there has not been a call to me. That call needs to come."

McCarthy, who admitted it was not the preparation he had wanted for Saturday's opening game against Cameroon, did not indicate what his reaction would be if his former captain did make such a call. But although he said the team was "bigger than any one person and that includes everybody", he added: "I'm not going to conduct this affair through the media," hinting that the door might yet be at least ajar if Keane did make a personal approach.

In his interview, Keane had said: "Maybe there is a way" for him to return to the squad, but added it was "up to other people". McCarthy clearly thinks that it is very much up to Keane to make the first, correct move.

McCarthy's comments were certainly more conciliatory in tone than the initial response to the interveiw from the Football Association of Ireland, whose treasurer, John Delaney, said in Dublin last night: "From what I've heard, there doesn't seem to be any change in Roy's attitude. Roy is obviously hurt. He sounds emotional, but we all are. From speaking to everyone, everyone is hurt. Of course, Roy would love to play in the World Cup but we all know the circumstances why he can't."

Delaney added: "We need closure. It's Monday. The game is Saturday, there's 22 players and a manager waiting to play Cameroon, and really the controversy must end now."

Although Keane's comments were far from the full apology McCarthy clearly wants, they did represent a significant shift in his stance. In a column for a Sunday newspaper Keane had said that "never in a million years" would he consider returning to the fold. Slowly, however, under the coaxing of his solicitor and adviser, Michael Kennedy, he has taken up a more flexible position.

While everything McCarthy had heard and said until this morning indicated he would not relent, he is now sufficiently steeped in the world of football politics to appreciate that he has been placed in a difficult spot. Points of principle are all very well, but count for little against points in World Cup groups. If Ireland were to lose their first game ­ with Germany to play next ­ after the manager refused to accept an apology from his one player of undisputed world-class, that position would look as grim as the Group E table.

McCarthy's greatest strength would appear to be the backing of his players, all of whom were shocked by Keane's outburst. But it was even being suggested last night among informed Irish sources that some of the younger players ­ aware of Keane's pivotal role in driving them to the World Cup finals ­ would be happy to have their captain back if a sufficiently grovelling apology had been made. Public opinion in Ireland has been similarly inclined, with up to 65 per cent holding that view.

That leaves the FAI, whose general secretary, Brendan Menton, had backed McCarthy's stance in sacking Keane after hearing the details of the infamous team meeting from him on Saturday morning. Menton, who is now in Korea for the Fifa congress, said later that day: "Mick made the right decision in the interests of the squad. By and large football people are very much endorsing that decision." Even then, he added the rider: "If Roy changes his mind, he'll have to find a way back."

McCarthy had appeared to be anticipating a resurrection of the subject when he wrote in a ghosted column yesterday that there was "no way back" for Keane. He said that even if the Manchester United player apologised "that will never be enough". It is understood that last week McCarthy insisted that the FAI would have to choose between backing him or Keane.

McCarthy has tried to keep his team's attention on Saturday's game. At least he had some good news yesterday as Jason McAteer, whose knee was damaged in the final warm-up match, continues to progress and has a chance of being fit for Saturday. Now the worry in the camp is that the Sunderland man will throw caution aside in his determination to play.

"He's much happier with himself," McCarthy said yesterday. "He originally thought he was really struggling and we were trying to reassure him. Once your spirits are lifted a bit, you'll heal quicker. Now he's hoping to start jogging, feeling terrific about himself."

The fitness of four other players not yet taking a full part in training ­ Steve Finnan, Kenny Cunningham, Lee Carsley and Kevin Kilbane ­ is not causing the manager to lose any sleep.

Before Keane's television appearance last night reopened the controversy, McCarthy had said that in spite of everything he was enjoying the World Cup experience. Now his ability to handle life at the highest level could face an even tougher test.