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Robert Hynes

Roy Keane slams Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny for Lithuania celebrations

Roy Keane claims Stephen Kenny and his staff's celebrations after Troy Parrott's goal against Lithuania were "way over the top".

Parrott spared Ireland’s blushes with a stoppage-time winner in a narrow 1-0 victory against the Baltic state on a night when they had four goals disallowed for offside.

The Tottenham striker, currently on loan at MK Dons, produced his third senior international strike in the nick of time after Chiedozie Ogbene twice, Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan had seen efforts chalked off.

Read more: The Roy Keane training regime when former Manchester United captain was at his peak

The goal led to celebrations on both the pitch and the sideline as Kenny hugged his assistant Keith Andrews, but Keane was not impressed, reports the Irish Mirror.

He said on ITV: “It was an important win. Better late than never, but they made hard work of it.

“I think the celebrations at the end are way over the top. But an important goal, even for Parrott, he’s a young player.

“His career has probably stalled a little bit. But they kept going. Showed a bit of spirit and fight. You take that win. The feel-good factor. Keep that going. A bit of momentum.

“Honestly. That’s way over the top. For managers, staff and players. To react that way, to a friendly win. Come on! Get over it.”

Keane's comments come after Andrews dismissed the Manchester United legend's claim that he is a 'bulls***ter'.

Keane gave Andrews short shrift in an interview two months after Kenny and his fellow Dubliner were promoted from the Ireland under-21s to their senior posts in 2020.

"If I can make one point about new Irish staff, I’ve heard a lot of bulls***ters over the last 10 years and Keith Andrews is up there with the best of them," said Keane, clearly referring to Andrews' work as a media pundit.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny celebrates (Image: ©INPHO/Evan Treacy)

The 41-year-old has stepped away from his media work to focus on his Ireland duties and had not taken on any official team media duties in the role until Monday of this week.

Quizzed on Keane's comments ahead of Tuesday's friendly clash with Lithuania, Andrew replied: "You might have to ask him why.

"In terms of how it affected me it didn't affect me in the slightest.

"I've touched on it before about how passionate I am about this role.

"My conscience would be very, very clean in terms of what I put into it because, apart from family life, it is actually the only thing I care about - in terms of making this team better, in terms of making Irish football better, in terms of giving us a team we are proud to watch.

"I have obviously been a fan, I've been a player, it is my only team - it's the only team I care about.

"So, no, it didn't affect me. When you go into a new job players pretty quickly suss you out, if you are not up to the level.

"So in terms of the preparation going into it, it was obviously of a high level."

Read more: That's What I Call Football podcast Season 4 Episode 28

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