Roy Keane’s astonishing World Cup rant at Mick McCarthy revealed by Shay Given
Manchester United legend famously let rip on the then-Republic of Ireland boss before the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea
SHAY GIVEN has revealed Roy Keane's foul-mouthed rant at Mick McCarthy which led to his early departure from the 2002 World Cup.
The Manchester United legend famously let rip on the then-Republic of Ireland boss after becoming frustrated at the facilities at their base in Saipan.
And Given has told of how the rant attacked McCarthy personally and professionally which left the rest of the squad watching on stunned into silence.
Given wrote in his new autobiography, which is being serialised by the Mirror: "Roy is going personal, Roy is going heavy and it feels like Roy is going too far.
"'Why the f*** are you asking me a question? Who the f*** are you? You were a s**t player and you're a worse manager.
"You're a w***** as a man, you're a w***** as a manager and you shouldn't be managing my country. F*** you, and you can f***ing stick your World Cup'."
"Mick edges in a word here and there, asking why Roy had not played in the second play-off leg with Iran, and that makes it worse.
"He implies that Roy was fit to play and he has let his country down.
"For about eight or nine minutes Roy keeps it up, slating every last thing he doesn't like about Mick, the Ireland set-up, our preparations for the tournament, the delay in the delivery of our training gear, the state of the practice pitch, our professionalism as a squad — everything he can think of.
"By the end, he's not even raging any more. It's just a total destruction of Mick, personally and professionally."
most read in football
The Republic of Ireland went on to the last 16 of the tournament before being dumped out on penalties by Spain.
But Given admitted Keane's astonishing attack on McCarthy had left the rest of the player's speechless.
Given added: "I've never felt collective shock like it,' Given added.
"Twenty five blokes, mute, stunned, tongues cut out, heads scrambled, minds blown."
