There’s only one Roy Keane, and we wouldn’t change the Manchester United legend for the world.
Now a superstar pundit, it’s hard not to love his analysis, dripping with wit and sarcasm, albeit with a bitter edge.
Keane, of course, became known to the footballing world as the all-action, fire and brimstone captain of the Red Devils.
From 1993 to 2005, he led the team into battle, although he only picked up the skipper’s armband in 1997 when Eric Cantona announced his shock retirement.
He helped knock the ‘Class of ’92’ into shape, becoming the experienced warrior needed to galvanise them.
In 1999, Keane showed his willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good of the team by firing Man United to glory in their Champions League semi-final with Juventus – despite knowing a booking had ruled him out of the Camp Nou contest.
The clashes with Patrick Vieira were prime time viewing as United and Arsenal locked horns, while he certainly courted controversy – Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, will tell you all about that.
But what about Keane before the snarls? How was he when coming through the ranks?
After failing to win a move to England as a youngster, Keane started his senior career with Cobh Ramblers in his Republic of Ireland homeland.
It wasn’t long before a scout picked up on his talents and demanded someone in English football take notice.
Nottingham Forest would be that club, landing an 18-year-old Keane and quickly he impressed manager Brian Clough, who fast-tracked him into the first-team.
Needing someone to replace an injured Steve Hodge, Keane made his debut at, of all places, Anfield.
“People said I’d flipped my lid,” Clough said. “But he did well and after that, even Enid Blyton couldn’t have written a better script.”
It wasn’t always plain sailing for Keane with Clough, especially during an eventful run to the 1991 FA Cup final.
In the third round against Crystal Palace, the midfielder’s shocking back pass to Mark Crossley resulted in the keeper being lobbed from 45 yards by John Salako and forcing the game to go to a replay.
A furious Clough hit the roof – and Keane.
“When I walked into the dressing room after the game, Clough punched me straight in the face,” said the Irishman.
“‘Don’t pass the ball back to the goalkeeper’, he screamed as I lay on the floor, him standing over me.
“I was hurt and shocked, too shocked to do anything but nod my head in agreement. My honeymoon with Clough and professional football was over.”
Keane tested Clough’s patience in the quarter-final too, doing a backflip after scoring against Norwich City in a 1-0 victory.
“If I’d wanted a clown I would have gone to the circus,” said his unimpressed manager.
One man who did like what he saw, though, was Diego Maradona.
The Irish squad trained in Seville ahead of a World Cup qualifier with Spain and while Keane was starstruck watching the Argentine honing his skills, the feeling was mutual.
Maradona said: “He impressed me with everything he did – nobody could touch him that day [against Spain]. He is for the future.”
But in 1992/93, while Keane was flourishing and more clubs were interested in, Nottingham Forest were struggling and fighting a losing battle against relegation.
Nonetheless, Keane was asked by Sky Sports about the rumours surrounding interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Blackburn Rovers.
But, despite still being raw in some areas of his game, when it comes to talking to the cameras he’s been the same his entire life.
“The position is simple,” he responded coyly. “I’m on a contract for another season-and-a-half and I’ve discussed a new contract at Forest.
“If I get the right deal I’m prepared to stay because, to me, this is the best club in England, with the best coaching staff, the best manager and I’m still learning my trade, I’m only 21 and I have a lot to learn.
“I don’t think there is a better place to learn than under Brian Clough.”
And, queried if he was flattered by the compliments he had been receiving from the likes of Maradona, he batted it away dismissively
“I don’t take any notice,” he added.
“I just concentrate on playing week-in, week-out for Forest, trying to play well, it’s as simple as that.”
He’s never changed.