Post by Taxigirl on Dec 16, 2005 10:58:11 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/12/16/SOCCER_Celtic_Keane.html
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Roy Keane insists money was never behind his decision to join Celtic.
The Irishman's sensational departure from Manchester United by "mutual consent" on November 18 led to a host of clubs showing interest in the 34-year-old midfielder.
However, after meeting clubs such as Real Madrid, Bolton and Everton, the Cork man signed an 18-month deal with Celtic which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2007.
Speculation abounded that Celtic's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond would be paying half of Keane's reported wages of £40,000 per week.
However, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell claimed Dermot would make "no financial contribution" and insisted the Old Trafford legend was not breaking any existing pay structures at Parkhead.
Keane backed those claims up by insisting his move to Glasgow was inspired by football reasons rather than financial considerations.
He said: "Football has been good to me. If it was about money, I wouldn't have gone to Manchester United when I left Nottingham Forest.
"I could have left United many times over the years when my contract expired and they will tell you that.
"But if you concentrate on your football and following your gut feeling then the rest will follow.
"Money comes into the package and I leave that to my solicitor to negotiate but as far as I'm concerned it's about what is the best for me in terms of football.
"There is a new mentality in terms of money being the priority for some players but it never has been for me and believe me it never will be."
Keane arrives in Glasgow with a reputation as a dour and difficult player but the Irishman claims his public persona is at odds with his real character.
He said: "I have been misrepresented, without a doubt.
"I probably don't tip-toe around people at this level but generally as a professional for 15 or 16 years, 99 out of 100 players that I've played with either like me or have enjoyed playing with me.
"A few of my team-mates have already called from United so I couldn't have been that bad.
"I'm sure I will change my personality at Celtic - for a day!"
Keane showed his more humorous side when asked what he would do if he could not oust Celtic's central midfield duo of Neil Lennon and Stilian Petrov.
He joked: "I would leave! No, honestly, I have been a professional for 15 years and I've never ever taken my position in the team for granted.
"It's unfair to mention those two players (Lennon and Petrov) because all the midfield is very strong.
"I saw the game against Aberdeen and the midfield was outstanding but that's a challenge for me and a challenge for the players.
"But competition for places is what a big club is all about."
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Roy Keane insists money was never behind his decision to join Celtic.
The Irishman's sensational departure from Manchester United by "mutual consent" on November 18 led to a host of clubs showing interest in the 34-year-old midfielder.
However, after meeting clubs such as Real Madrid, Bolton and Everton, the Cork man signed an 18-month deal with Celtic which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2007.
Speculation abounded that Celtic's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond would be paying half of Keane's reported wages of £40,000 per week.
However, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell claimed Dermot would make "no financial contribution" and insisted the Old Trafford legend was not breaking any existing pay structures at Parkhead.
Keane backed those claims up by insisting his move to Glasgow was inspired by football reasons rather than financial considerations.
He said: "Football has been good to me. If it was about money, I wouldn't have gone to Manchester United when I left Nottingham Forest.
"I could have left United many times over the years when my contract expired and they will tell you that.
"But if you concentrate on your football and following your gut feeling then the rest will follow.
"Money comes into the package and I leave that to my solicitor to negotiate but as far as I'm concerned it's about what is the best for me in terms of football.
"There is a new mentality in terms of money being the priority for some players but it never has been for me and believe me it never will be."
Keane arrives in Glasgow with a reputation as a dour and difficult player but the Irishman claims his public persona is at odds with his real character.
He said: "I have been misrepresented, without a doubt.
"I probably don't tip-toe around people at this level but generally as a professional for 15 or 16 years, 99 out of 100 players that I've played with either like me or have enjoyed playing with me.
"A few of my team-mates have already called from United so I couldn't have been that bad.
"I'm sure I will change my personality at Celtic - for a day!"
Keane showed his more humorous side when asked what he would do if he could not oust Celtic's central midfield duo of Neil Lennon and Stilian Petrov.
He joked: "I would leave! No, honestly, I have been a professional for 15 years and I've never ever taken my position in the team for granted.
"It's unfair to mention those two players (Lennon and Petrov) because all the midfield is very strong.
"I saw the game against Aberdeen and the midfield was outstanding but that's a challenge for me and a challenge for the players.
"But competition for places is what a big club is all about."
