“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry!”
A phrase best associated with Marvel Comics character The Hulk.
It could, however, be just as easily applied to one Roy Keane.
The Irishman is not a man to be crossed.
A rather impressive haul of 13 red cards in his playing career helps to highlight as much.
Push the wrong buttons and you will live to regret it.
Keane is also a very affable character, though, and one Nottingham Forest are delighted to have back on board.
Once it became apparent that Martin O’Neill would be returning to the City Ground, the hope was that his former right-hand man with the Republic of Ireland would follow.
A deal was soon done, with Forest quickly establishing that two Reds are better than one.
Rewarded
Such faith has been rewarded with a welcome upturn in performance levels.
O’Neill and Keane have not had things all their own way, but it is those in black rather than Garibaldi that have threatened to unleash the beast.
Inside the City Ground camp, things are all sweetness and light.
Ben Watson has told the Nottingham Post of the new coaching regime: “The gaffer has managed at the highest level and has been successful for a number of years. But I am sure it is nice for him to have the person next to him with the knowledge that Roy has, because of what he has done in the game.
“Together they are very good.
“As a team we just want to keep winning games. We want to put on good performances and getting wins. If we can do that, it will only be good cop-good cop, won’t it?
“We’ve not seen bad cop at all, so far.”
Wisdom
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As the man filling the top job, the role of bad cop really should fall on O’Neill.
You do, however, get the feeling that said duties may be delegated to Keane if the need ever arises.
For now, though, the Irishman is merely passing on his wisdom and carrying out the assistance that his role requires.
Watson has added in the Post: “He [Keane] has been great. He has come in and a guy of that stature as a player – he was up there with the best – has just been great to have around the place.
“He has an input into things and, particularly as a midfielder, you look at what he has done in the game. If he has any bits of advice to give you, then great.
“He does not like to give us loads of information, I don’t think. But it is the little things he tells you just before a game or during a match that can help you.”
Good cop Keano.
Has a nice ring to it.
Just don’t tell him he’s going soft!
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