Tensions between Jason McAteer, a former Liverpool player, and Roy Keane, a former Manchester United captain, have been reopened as a result of the former captain’s eye-catching remarks against Andy Robertson.
Jason McAteer rekindled his dispute with Roy Keane by making a subtle social media jab at the former captain of Manchester United.
In the Sky Sports studio on Sunday afternoon to cover Liverpool’s ᴛʜʀɪʟʟɪɴɢ 2-2 draw with Arsenal, Keane made headlines for his remarks on Andy Robertson. After being elbowed in the chin following an altercation with assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis, the Irishman had no sympathy for the Liverpool left-back.
Do you know what that is, that Robertson, Keane asked at halftime? I’ve seen him quite a few times. The baby is large. He is exactly that. Just play the game and pay attention to your defending. The linesman is the one he grabs first.
Roy Keane called Andy Robertson a “big baby” on Sunday.
He continued, “What’s he gone over to him for?” following the game. And for what is he grumbling? At halftime, I remarked, “Robertson, what a baby.” Such a large baby. Simply continue the game. Baby.”
Micah Richards, Gary Neville, and Jamie Carragher, three of his fellow experts, erupted in laughter at Keane’s remarks. But McAteer, who works for competing broadcaster BeIN SPORTS alongside Richard Keys and Andy Gray, was not amused.
He tweeted: “All for everyone has an opinion but some I find hard to deal with. Find some opinions a bit rich to be honest but …….. optics #LFC #SkySports #baby #pantomime”.
Andy Robertson was elbowed by Constantine Hatzidakis.
Keane and McAteer were teammates when they played for the Republic of Ireland national team, and while they were playing for Bolton, Liverpool, Blackburn, and Sunderland, respectively, they faced each other in the Premier League.
The two ex-players got along well while traveling with Ireland and are the same age, but their cordial friendship did not last. They were both members of Ireland’s World Cup squad in 2002 after competing for Liverpool and Manchester United for four years on opposite teams.
Their relationship broke out at that point when Keane had a disagreement with manager Mick McCarthy and left for home. Some members of the squad, including McAteer, were offended by his choice.
Roy Keane and Jason McAteer played alongside each other for Ireland.
“We understood where he came from, what he stood for and what he ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ – we all just felt it was at the wrong time. There was a time and a place for it and it was after the World Cup,” McAteer said on RTE 1 in 2016.
“Obviously the disappointment and the anger spilled over into the Premier League season. He had been a little unsavoury towards the lads, me included, in his book.
“When we had words on the pitch, I just said to him ‘put it in your next book, I’ll read about it I’m sure.’ That’s all that was, but unfortunately, we never kissed and made up – we’re still bayonets at thirty paces.”
Roy Keane was sent off by Uriah Rennie after an incident with Jason McAteer in August 2002.
