Roy Keane singles out Seamus Coleman live on Sky Sports for Everton v Aston Villa
Roy Keane has labelled Everton defender Seamus Coleman a “fighter” while speaking ahead of the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
The 35-year-old started on his record 355th Premier League appearance for the club, keeping a clean sheet in a typical gritty display from the veteran.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Sky Sports pundit Keane was full of praise for the right-back, (Sky Sports PL Official X, 14 January).
“I had a few rows with Seamus (Coleman),” Keane said while speaking on his time playing for the Republic of Ireland national team alongside the Everton man.
“What I like about players is if I have a go at them and tell them they should be doing something, Seamus had a go back at me once, he obviously regretted it.
“But I like that, people talk about characters, he is a great lad, but that doesn’t mean to say he is not a winner and he is not up for the challenge. You don’t play at that level with the injuries he has had unless you are a fighter.”
Scary
There are probably very few people in the world who would want to be handed the responsibility of breaking up a fight between Keane and Coleman.
Keane was known for his tough-tackling, no-nonsense approach during his playing days and the fact that Coleman was willing to stand up to a more senior player with such a reputation just demonstrates the kind of personality he is, something which Everton supporters will already be well aware of.
To still play in the Premier League in your mid-thirties is no mean feat, and even though Coleman is not a regular starter anymore, he will still be an incredibly useful personality for Dyche to have around the club as they look set to battle for safety from England’s top flight once again this season.
Coleman is someone who will certainly be up for that battle, as Keane’s incredible story of the pair’s time together emphasises.
In other Everton news, Dyche has spoken out about a player who has been heavily linked with a move away from the club.