European Cup Qualifier
07.09.2002 at 00:00 - Moscow
Kenny Cunningham yesterday said that anybody expecting him, as captain of Ireland, to exert as much influence as did Roy Keane, were due for a disappointment.
Keane, he said, was a colossus in midfield for Ireland who had taken games by the ’scruff of the neck’.
The Birmingham defender said last night: “I think Roy was very much a leader by example, the way he played and approached the game and his performances on the pitch which inspired everybody. He was and still is a world-class player.
“He demands high standards from the players around him and I think the players responded to that. We realised we had in our midst a truly world-class player so immediately he had the respect of the players around him.
“Roy wasn’t too vocal in the dressing-room prior to the game. Like the majority of players he was a little bit introverted, a little bit quiet in the dressing-room before the game but, of course, once he stepped on to the pitch you saw the true nature of the man.
“He was outstanding for us and led by example.
“As regards myself, my approach won’t change. Maybe I’ll be a bit more vocal around the dressing-room but that will be about it. I’m confident when I look around the dressing-room and see the quality of players we have, that’s what builds our confidence so when we go on to the pitch we realise how good we are.
“We realise what we’ve done already and now we’ve proved ourselves at the highest stage at the World Cup, there’s a real belief that we can go on and qualify for these European Championships.
“I don’t think my performances are going to match the level of Roy Keane’s performances over the past couple of years in an Irish jersey. There were times when Roy was an absolute colossus for us in the middle of the pitch and we can all remember those games when he literally took games by the scruff of the neck and dragged us through them.
“We were by no means a one-man team, everybody played their part, particularly in the World Cup qualifying campaign, but certainly Roy without doubt was an integral part of that.
“If you’re looking for me to match those (performances) you’re probably going to be disappointed over the next couple of months. It is important for me to remain realistic and not to be darting into midfield playing one-twos and asking Robbie to slide me into the penalty box and finish into the top corner. That’s just not going to happen.
“It’s important that I’m realistic to myself. That armband on my hand does not give me supernatural powers and I’ve just got to be realistic and play my game as I know I can, I know my limitations and just get on with my game as I always have done.”
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