Tuesday 17 November 2015 14:48, UK
Roy Keane insists manager Martin O'Neill deserves most of the credit for the Republic of Ireland's successful qualification campaign for Euro 2016 - admitting he's "not sure he can justify his wages".
O'Neill's side saw off Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 on aggregate after a 2-0 second-leg win at the Aviva Stadium on Monday night in the play-offs for Euro 2016.
Keane also joked that he hoped next summer's tournament in France will be different to the last major tournament he was involved in, after storming out of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea as a player following a dispute with then-manager Mick McCarthy.
Speaking to Sky Sports, a humble Keane said he had done "very little" in getting his country to Euro 2016 compared to O'Neill.
"Hopefully it'll be a bit different to the last one I was involved in," Keane said when asked if he was looking forward to the tournament.
"It's a great achievement for the players, the manager, the FAI. It was a tough night, a tough group, a tough play-off.
"The players deserve great credit, they've done the country proud. It's absolutely fantastic.
"The whole group of players, the manager and the staff, you can't praise people enough. And the FAI, it's been a tough couple of years, but it's a good night for Irish football.
"I've not had to do too much to be honest with you. Obviously the manager is making the big calls. We've had a group of players who have worked their socks off and given everything for their country.
"I've probably done very little, I'm not sure I can even justify my wages. Obviously the manager deserves massive credit because he's the one making the calls, and he's got most of them right."
Keane says there are plenty of places up for grabs in the Republic of Ireland set-up with seven months until the tournament, with a good mix of experience and potential in the side.
"We can enjoy the next few nights, we want to go over there and do the country proud," the former Republic of Ireland skipper added.
"There are places up for grabs, there's a lot of lads coming to the end of their careers and some of the young lads getting involved.
"It'll be an interesting few months and hopefully we'll have a good group to pick from."
