Roy Keane left a television host and his audience aghast when he revealed his relaxed response towards his daughters’ dating lives.
During his playing days, the former Manchester United captain was one of the most feared players on the pitch. Now he is no longer scything down players with ferocious tackles or barracking referees on the field, the Irishman is instead cutting players down to size with his razor-sharp critiques.
While he is prone to a fit of anger while analysing his former side as a pundit, the 53-year-old does not carry this fire into every aspect of his life. Keane and his wife Theresa share four daughters and one son – Shannon, Caragh, Aidan, Leah and Alanna – who are all adults doing their own things.
It was widely presumed that any person who wishes to start dating any of Keane’s children would be at permanent risk of feeling the former midfielder’s wrath. Yet, he insists he is the complete opposite.
During an appearance on the Tommy Tiernan Show, Keane was grilled about his attitude towards his children’s dating life. Expecting him to be all snarly and guarded, the host was shocked to see the tough-tackling footballing legend was actually a big softie.
When Keane struggled to answer the question of “What’s the toughest part of being a father”, Tiernan replied: “Are you f***ing kidding me?” While shrugging and shaking his head, Keane said: “No, they’re ok. Listen, when they get a bit older, I suppose boyfriends and that type of carry on, yeah that can be…”
Expecting Keane to be showing his teeth to anybody who wishes to date his children, the Irishman actually revealed he is a lot more relaxed when he meets his potential son-in-laws. After the host said those who want to take Keane’s children out would have plenty to fear, the Champions League winner replied: “You’d be very surprised. Surely that’s the same for everybody.”
When poked on the matter again, he added: “I’m quite relaxed yeah. Do you want me to do a somersault or something? Very relaxed, nice drive up, we’re good.”
Keane’s comments made it abundantly clear that away from the cameras and the football pitch, he is not the same fiery, prickly individual. Instead, he is warm, approachable and respectful towards those who wish to join his family.
One individual who will know exactly what Keane is like in regard to his daughter’s dating is Southampton defender and England international Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The 22-year-old is engaged to Keane’s daughter Leah and the ex-United skipper could not be prouder.
The closest Keane came to disapproving of him was when the Saints defender scored in England’s 5-0 victory over Ireland in the Nations League. When pushed on his future son-in-law’s goal, Keane replied: “It’s bittersweet for me this.
“It is not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you. Over the last few months he has got a goal threat, even playing for Southampton. It is nice for him.
“It’s good for him, it’s good for him to make his debut, like I say he has a goal threat. He’s a nice kid, his family have done a great job, he is a really nice kid.”
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