Keane is hoping to be out of limelight

Apr 19 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

ROY Keane is relishing the prospect of running the gauntlet of hate on his return to St James’s Park on Sunday but he insists the focus should be on his players and not him as he returns to a venue where he enjoyed some memorable battles.

Sunderland’s need for points to secure their survival has once again been pushed down the agenda in the run-up to Sunday’s clash, this time by the passions stirred up by the derby rivalry and the intriguing prospect of Keane’s return to an arena where he had plenty of ups and downs in his playing career.

In fact Keane’s record at St James’s Park over 16 years as a player is impressive, helping Manchester United to six wins, four draws and two defeats. But it is his pair of red cards that linger just as long in the memory.

Famously Keane was given his marching orders for attempting to throw a punch at Alan Shearer in September 2001 – one of two sendings-off that accompanied those defeats and will ensure him a hostile reception on Sunday.

Some would even say there was a begrudging respect from the Newcastle crowd for a player and manager who, like them, wears his heart on his sleeve, but that is highly unlikely to spare him the wrath of the Geordie supporters. Keane is unfazed by the prospect, but hopes it is his players who will have snatched the attention by the final whistle.

“I loved derby games when I was a player. You can’t beat it – that’s what you’re in the game for,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to going back to St James’s Park – it was always a good atmosphere there. Usually we had a good result there – I didn’t lose many at St James’s Park but I got sent off a few times.

“I know there will be a few people handing out some abuse but there’s not much you can do about it as a manager. I suppose at least when you’re out on the pitch you can tackle somebody, nail somebody or score a goal.

“But when I became a manager I realised I’ve got to have great faith and trust in my players and that hasn’t wavered even among the disappointments. The most important thing after the game is we’re talking about the players, not myself or Kevin Keegan. People can talk about that all they want but I’ll be surprised if Kevin scores against us.”

Keane wrote in his autobiography that his red card for attempting to hit Shearer prompted a period of reflection on his career, and while he admits there is regret over the incident it was not a ‘defining moment’ in his career. Indeed it has been one of the most fascinating aspects of Keane’s transition from player to manager that he has discouraged his players from the sort of ill-discipline that blemished his otherwise exemplary playing career.

“It’s something (the Shearer row) I wish hadn’t happened – I reacted and got sent off. But no, it’s not a defining moment in my life for me,” he said. “Obviously I was disappointed and you reflect on the long journey back. As much as I’d let myself down I let my team-mates down as well.”

Keane is keeping the players guessing as to who will be involved and that means an anxious wait for former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra, who is not certain of playing a part at the ground where he supported United as a boy.