Roy Keane has heaped the pressure on Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and said he would sleep outside Stephen Ireland’s house to persuade him to lead Ireland's World Cup campaign.
The Manchester City midfielder's self-imposed exile following his controversial exit two years ago when he claimed two grandmothers had died. Trapattoni and his assistant Liam Brady have met Ireland to welcome him back, but Ireland is refusing to budge.
Keane, who labelled Ireland as the best Irish player in football at the moment, said: 'When Brian Clough was manager and was trying to get Archie Gemmill to sign, he slept on the sofa. I wouldn’t sleep on Stephen Ireland’s sofa but I’d sleep outside his house to try and get him back. 'He would obviously make a big, big, difference to the Irish team,' he added. 'He looks happy in himself, playing for Man City. He’s been one of the most consistent players in the Premiership this season, in a team that has been inconsistent.
'What I would say to the lad, if I ever bumped into him in Manchester, I’d say “listen, your career is over before you know it, if you get an opportunity to play for Ireland under a good manager then go for it.†'He might have a reason and we have to respect that whatever it might be. But never say never. I'd keep persevering. If I was Trapattoni, I would literally sleep outside his house.'
