Keegan’s missing a muse for dogfight

Mar 8 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

KEVIN Keegan cites Bill Shankly as the inspiration behind his positive approach to management but does not know what the legendary Scot would have done in his situation because the pair never experienced a relegation battle together.

Today Keegan returns to Anfield, where he developed into a top footballer under the then-Liverpool manager. As well as turning the former Scunthorpe United striker into an England captain, the 57-year-old says Shankly also shaped his post-playing career.

“I was blessed to work under Shankly,” he said. “Anyone who worked under those kind of people will tell you the same. They were just inspirational, down-to-earth people who made you think, ‘I can achieve everything I want at this football club’. I remember Shankly said, ‘You will play for England’.

“I had only been there two weeks. I thought, ‘Wow, if he says it, I will’. If he told you you were going to hell you would look forward to the trip.” Shankly served his apprenticeship in the relative backwaters of Workington, Carlisle United, Grimsby Town and Huddersfield Town, but by the time Keegan joined in 1971, Liverpool were in the early stages of their glory years. Newcastle are hovering three points above the relegation zone, meaning Keegan is unable to ask himself what Shankly would do in his position.

“I don’t think Shanks ever had a struggle,” he argued. “We were never in the bottom half of the table. We always talked about how we would win things. It’s easier to be positive when you are talking about winning leagues or cups.”

The epitome of Keegan’s positive approach was the 1996 fixture, his last at Anfield as Newcastle manager. While many neutrals would love to see a repeat of Liverpool’s classic 4-3 win, Keegan argues circumstances are very different.

“I can’t remember what I said to the team back in 96,” he admitted. “Whatever I said didn’t work so I hope it will not be quite the same. I cannot remember saying let us go out, put on one of the best matches in the world and lose 4-3!

“But we would have been ranked as the better team in that league season. We were top and had the momentum with us, we had the confidence victories bring. This time you could say it is slightly roles reversed in that Liverpool are just starting to hit form. At Anfield the one thing you

have got to do is respect them but not fear them. You must have a belief that you can go there and get a result against the odds.”

Meanwhile, Keegan explained the signing of Senegal captain Lamine Diatta as a no-lose insurance policy. The 32-year-old, who can play anywhere in the back four but is primarily a central defender, has joined until the end of the season after impressing on trial.

“Look at the centre-halves we have at the moment, Steven Taylor, (Abdoulaye) Faye and (Claudio) Caçapa and, at a push, (Habib) Beye,” he said. “This opportunity came up to take an international, vastly experienced, who has just played in the African Nations Cup, until the end of the season.

“If he does really well he could put himself in the shop window for everybody but he also puts in a challenge for us to sign him for next season. If I lost a centre-half to a three-match ban that’s a third of what is left of our season when we have not got much cover, so that’s why I have him here.”

The Tyne-Wear derby has been overlooked for live television coverage but its kick-off time has been moved for safety reasons. The Saturday, April 19, clash is now scheduled to start at 1pm.