Roy Keane spent 12 legendary years at Manchester United and famously rejected Real Madrid to sign for Celtic. But the Irishman insists he doesn’t support EITHER club.
Former Premier League hardman Keano skippered the Red Devils during a golden period under Sir Alex Ferguson, hoovering up seven titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League. Yet despite being adored at Old Trafford, the iconic midfielder declared he isn’t a fan. Keane – who also starred for Nottingham Forest – has openly admitted in the past that he grew up in Ireland as a Tottenham supporter, but also followed Celtic, where he spent the final six months of his career before retiring in 2006.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: “I don’t have that [affinity] with the clubs I’ve played for. I don’t support Manchester United, absolutely not. I don’t support Nottingham Forest.”
Asked if he feels more emotion watching United, he continued: “No, you feel you have more of an insight with how it works at the club and the expectations, but I wouldn’t say that I’m a fan – their results don’t make or break my weekend. I wouldn’t go home going, ‘Get in there, that was a great win.’ I’d be looking at it in a professional way. It wouldn’t spoil my weekend if they lost. It’s the same for Forest or Celtic, the clubs I was involved in, absolutely not.”
While Keane’s affinity for his former teams appears to be thin, the 53-year-old declared he does have a particular fondness for one club. He said: “You’re going on about growing up watching teams, the team I have a soft spot for is Juventus. I like Juventus. I’ve always had a soft spot for Juventus.”
Meanwhile Arsenal great Ian Wright – who had a brief spell at Parkhead in the torturous 1999-2000 campaign – revealed he’s always been drawn to Celtic. He added: “I love Celtic as well because of Danny McGrain, not even because I played for them.”