John O'Shea rejects talk of rift with Republic of Ireland coach Roy Keane

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 03 April 2014

John O'Shea rubbishes suggestions that he has a strained relationship with Roy Keane following claims in Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography.

Sunderland defender John O'Shea has rubbished suggestions of a rift between himself and Republic of Ireland assistant coach Roy Keane.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed details about Keane's exit from the club in his recent autobiography.

In the book, Ferguson discussed Keane's controversial interview with the club's TV channel, in which he criticised O'Shea and Darren Fletcher among a number of then-United players.

"Roy was always wanting the best and he'd always look out for me," O'Shea told Irish radio station FM104. "He only wanted the players to improve all of the time. He's a winner and he wanted to be the best.

"Obviously books through the years can be a slight exaggeration or whatever. The people that are involved in the books have to sell the books, they highlight certain things. Books can be misleading in some senses.

"In my eyes, he was always very good to me, in terms of wanting me to do better and wanting me to improve. That was always the case with any young lads coming through and I'm sure Fletch would say the same as well."

Keane now works alongside Ireland manager Martin O'Neill.