Roy Keane has allegedly been part of an altercation with a member of the public outside the Ireland teams hotel last night.

While the circumstances surrounding what happened are just speculation at this point and Roy will more than likely be completely innocent in all this it gives me a tremendous relief that he passed on being manager of Celtic.

I have read Roy Keane’s latest book, it was an eye opener and Roy has admitted there has been many occasions where he should have handled things differently and tries to learn from past mistakes.

It’s regrettable however that he seems to be a magnet for trouble whether it be on-field matters or off them.

Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond wanted Roy to be the next Celtic manager in the summer after Neil Lennon stepped down from the post. The former Manchester United player admitted being tempted by the role but eventually turning it down because Celtic “didn’t want him enough”.

I can’t disguise my glee that he did not take over from Neil Lennon in the summer. While his stern and strict management of the players might have been welcomed, he would have been a disaster in Glasgow’s fish bowl in my opinion.

When you are a Celtic player or manager in and around Glasgow you can expect the odd passing insult or altercation as well as well meaning Celtic fans coming up to you for a signature or picture as you go about your daily life. Imagine Roy Keane walking about Glasgow in that scenario, it would only be a matter of time before you would’ve seen him rolling about the floor in St Enoch centre with a regular punter who had some cross words with him after a defeat.

Luckily for Celtic and Roy’s sanity the opportunity was passed up. He maintains his assistant manager role at Ireland as well as being number 2 to another former Celt, Paul Lambert.

Martin O’Neill and the FAI released a statement this morning about the incident outside the hotel and are backing their assistant manager.

While they want to draw a line under the issue, it will surely be disruptive to Ireland’s preparation for their game against Scotland tomorrow.

Here is Martin O’Neill’s statement.

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