Post by Taxigirl on Mar 15, 2006 9:25:32 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/03/15/SOCCER_Celtic_Keane.html
Celtic midfielder Roy Keane has admitted he will consider hanging up his boots at the end of the season.
The former Manchester United skipper is contracted to stay at Parkhead for another year but fears a long-standing hip injury may come back to haunt him.
Keane, 34, said: "When I signed for Celtic I did say to them that it would be best for the club and myself to maybe look at things in the summer but they were quite keen for me to sign for the extra year, which I did eventually.
"But I will look at things in the summer and see how my hip is bearing up. I'm due to go back to the hip specialist in the summer. It's important to be fair to myself and the club if it is affecting me.
"I'll weigh it up then but there are no guarantees about next season, I have to say.
"Since having the surgery in 2002 I've regarded every season as a bonus but I've got to look at the long-term side of it and see what's best for me and my family.
"Over the last few months I've always put football first but come the summer I need to look at what's best for my family," quotes The Guardian.
Keane has all but confirmed his Manchester United testimonial will take place against Celtic at Old Trafford on May 9.
The former Republic of Ireland captain admits it will feel strange to receive a benefit match from United after leaving the club before his contract came to an end.
However, he is looking forward to once more playing in front of the Red Devils' supporters, who so adored him during his 12-year stint there.
Keane told the website of the United We Stand fanzine: "There is a date, perhaps May 9th. The United and Celtic boards have agreed to playing a game.
"It's something I'm not 100 per cent comfortable with. It wasn't something I'd planned. Perhaps if I'd seen out my contract at United, but even after 12-and-a-half years it just doesn't sit comfortably with me. It's hard to explain but it just doesn't.
"However, United and Celtic have been encouraging me so it looks like it's going ahead.
"It will be nice to go back in terms of never having had a chance to say goodbye to the fans.
"Not necessarily going back and seeing the manager and the staff and the players, because you are bound to see them over the years.
"But in terms of playing Old Trafford and saying goodbye properly...perhaps.
"Nothing's been fully agreed and sorted out but there will be a charitable benefit to having it - lots of people in Glasgow, and Manchester and Cork and Dublin, I imagine, will benefit."
Celtic midfielder Roy Keane has admitted he will consider hanging up his boots at the end of the season.
The former Manchester United skipper is contracted to stay at Parkhead for another year but fears a long-standing hip injury may come back to haunt him.
Keane, 34, said: "When I signed for Celtic I did say to them that it would be best for the club and myself to maybe look at things in the summer but they were quite keen for me to sign for the extra year, which I did eventually.
"But I will look at things in the summer and see how my hip is bearing up. I'm due to go back to the hip specialist in the summer. It's important to be fair to myself and the club if it is affecting me.
"I'll weigh it up then but there are no guarantees about next season, I have to say.
"Since having the surgery in 2002 I've regarded every season as a bonus but I've got to look at the long-term side of it and see what's best for me and my family.
"Over the last few months I've always put football first but come the summer I need to look at what's best for my family," quotes The Guardian.
Keane has all but confirmed his Manchester United testimonial will take place against Celtic at Old Trafford on May 9.
The former Republic of Ireland captain admits it will feel strange to receive a benefit match from United after leaving the club before his contract came to an end.
However, he is looking forward to once more playing in front of the Red Devils' supporters, who so adored him during his 12-year stint there.
Keane told the website of the United We Stand fanzine: "There is a date, perhaps May 9th. The United and Celtic boards have agreed to playing a game.
"It's something I'm not 100 per cent comfortable with. It wasn't something I'd planned. Perhaps if I'd seen out my contract at United, but even after 12-and-a-half years it just doesn't sit comfortably with me. It's hard to explain but it just doesn't.
"However, United and Celtic have been encouraging me so it looks like it's going ahead.
"It will be nice to go back in terms of never having had a chance to say goodbye to the fans.
"Not necessarily going back and seeing the manager and the staff and the players, because you are bound to see them over the years.
"But in terms of playing Old Trafford and saying goodbye properly...perhaps.
"Nothing's been fully agreed and sorted out but there will be a charitable benefit to having it - lots of people in Glasgow, and Manchester and Cork and Dublin, I imagine, will benefit."