Roy Keane says Republic of Ireland's players must play on the edge
Sunday 11 June 2017 13:24, UK
Roy Keane has called on Republic of Ireland's players "to play on the edge", when facing Austria in Dublin on Sunday.
The Irish are well placed in World Cup Qualifying Group D, having collected 11 points from five matches and are currently level on points with Serbia who top the table on goal difference.
A victory at the Aviva Stadium on June 11 would move the Republic seven points clear of Austria, and leave them in great shape to reach the Finals in Russia next summer.
Keane, the assistant to Martin O'Neill, says the players must be prepared to "put their bodies on the line" while praising Seamus Coleman who suffered a double leg-break in the qualifier against Wales in March.
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Keane told Friday's press conference: "You want players playing on the edge, we want players putting their bodies on the line, which lads have done before, people like Seamus Coleman.
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"You go out on that pitch and you put your bodies on the line and be ready to accept whatever goes on, whether it be like Seamus, breaking your leg.
"People have done a lot more for their country than breaking their legs - people have died for their country - so we want people to put their bodies on the line, give everything they have got.
"I suppose my mindset anyway with any group of players I'm working with is, 'we're going into battle on Sunday and be ready, be ready to put your body on the line like Seamus did. You have got to follow that'."
As for Coleman, who watched training at Abbotstown on Friday, Keane added: "He seems fine. He was in good spirits last night and his recovery is going well.
"Seamus has got an injury, but he will get over it, like lots of other players.
"Nobody died. He broke his leg and that will heal. He's in good hands with Everton and I'm led to believe the surgeons are really happy with how it's gone, so that's good news.
"It is nice to have him around the place and hopefully he will bring some positive energy to the group.
"He's here for a few days and the game. It's a pity he's not able to play, but whoever starts at right-back won't let us down."
