His fellow pundit Eamon Dunphy has said that the combination of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane as the new Republic of Ireland management team could be a "train-wreck". However, Johnny Giles thinks it’s a good thing.
Talking to Ray D’Arcy today about the new partnership between O’Neill and Keane, Johnny said: “It’s unexpected, Ray, as we all know, but I think it’s very good. It certainly has aroused the excitement from the fans’ point of view with this particular team...It certainly creates a lot of interest and I think it’s good.”
Speaking about how the dynamics will work – number 2 is often a shoulder to cry on - Johnny Giles admitted: “I don’t see how the role is going to work for Roy Keane but the most important man is Martin O’Neill, so he obviously has something in his head...or else he wouldn’t have appointed him”. He speculated that Roy Keane’s legacy as a great player and his ability to inspire will bring great influence to the players.
Giles also gave credit to John Delaney for putting previous conflict with Roy Keane aside and doing “what’s best for the team and for the country....I think he’s been big in that and he’s behaved in a big way, John Delaney, to say ‘Martin O’Neill wants him, that’s what he’s going to get’”.
Listen back here to full interview, including Johnny Gile’s views on what will be a different approach from Martin O’Neill:
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John Delaney spoke to Michael McMullan about qualities that Martin O’Neill will bring to the role
John Delaney spoke to Ray D’Arcy about the new team dynamics
