Kenwright blasts Keane over 'stupid things' he has uttered

Roy Keane took Everton to task over injuries to Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy (PA)

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has hit back at Roy Keane for “saying some stupid things” following the Republic of Ireland assistant’s comments about Toffees manager Roberto Martinez over the management of his international players.

Keane took Martinez to task over his handling of injuries to key Ireland players Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy, who both missed last month’s European Championship qualifiers. McCarthy also sat out Friday’s game against Scotland around after reporting with a hamstring problem.

Keane said: “You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk. So when they actually turn up and they are walking through the reception, ‘Praise the Lord, it’s a miracle’.”

However, Kenwright said in response: “I’m a big fan of Roy Keane’s but he does say some stupid things.

“That is just totally unfair, we absolutely love our players going on international duty and we never ever get in the way of them. Roberto Martinez will be as shocked as everyone at Everton.”

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has defended Keane and denied that all the publicity surrounding him was a problem. “Every single time that you [the press] mention Roy, it either seems to be a distraction or another issue. Let me tell you straight: I’m delighted to have him.

“I chose to bring him in here, he’s been terrific. He has been terrific around the lads. He has been everything that I wanted him to be.

“All the distractions – some things have materialised that actually aren’t of his doing to begin with, so I haven’t a problem.

“He’s got a mind of his own, he can say what he wants. Again, unless it’s absolutely and utterly in contradiction with what I am saying to you, then I do not have a problem with it. It is not an issue all the time.”