Roy Keane picked Celtic over Real Madrid, but not out of love, and it was refreshing to hear him admit just that…
Roy Keane left a few folk speechless this week with his revelation that he knocked back a potential move to Real Madrid and several other top European clubs in favour of a move to Celtic back in 2006.
Keane was offered an 18-month deal at Real Madrid
According to Roy the Spanish giants offered him an 18 month deal to finish his career at the Bernabeu.
The Irishman was honest in his assessment that he didn’t think he’d make an impact at the most prestigious club in European football due to his fitness issues.
Years of battling at the top level had taken its toll, and Roy knew his body wouldn’t be up to the demands of playing at the highest level of club football for Los Blancos.
That’s fine and Roy should be applauded for his honesty. In the end he picked Celtic due to a mixture of an emotional pull and reality.
Keane was finished at the very top level
The reality being that he was finished at the very top level, but reckoned he could just about manage playing out his career in Scotland.
It was still great to see a player of Roy’s calibre and stature pull on the hoops. Even half fit he was still a cracking player and done us a good turn in his few short months at the club.
One game in particular stands out, and that was at Ibrox in February 2006 when he bossed the Rangers midfield and produced a masterclass despite being deemed ‘passed it’.
Maciej Zurawski scored the winner in a 1-0 victory that day but Roy stole the show as he rolled back the years in a dominant display.
Despite the circumstances, it was still a pleasure to witness such a great player pull on those green and white hoops.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
