Man Utd legend Roy Keane inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame
Roy Keane is named as the fourth player to enter the Premier League’s Hall of Fame, following old team-mate Eric Cantona… but former Manchester United captain sticks to terse, one-line answers in his celebratory Q&A!
- Roy Keane has become the next player to enter the Premier League Hall of Fame
- Keane joins Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Eric Cantona in sharing the honour
- The ex-Manchester United midfielder won seven league titles over his career
- He kept his celebratory Q&A short and sweet, reserving praise for Brian Clough
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has become the fourth player to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The former midfielder is one of the most decorated players in Premier League history, having won seven titles with United, and joins ex-team-mate Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer in the Hall of Fame.
‘I feel very lucky to be inducted but I’ve only been inducted because of the players I’ve played with,’ Keane said in contrasting style to Cantona, whose place in the Hall of Fame was announced earlier on Tuesday.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame
Keane is one of the most decorated players in Premier League history, winning seven titles
The Irishman was a dominant figure during United’s golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson, lifting numerous trophies as club caption across his 12-year spell between 1993 and 2005.
Keane didn’t appear to be in celebratory mood though and stuck to terse, one-line answers after his inclusion was announced – though he did reserve special praise for his former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough, who brought him from Cobh Ramblers in County Cork, Ireland to the Premier League.
‘Brian Clough [was my biggest influence] for signing and giving me my debut,’ Keane said.
‘His advice before my debut was telling me to control the ball, pass it to my team-mate and run, that was the foundation of my career.’
Earlier on Tuesday Keane’s former team-mate Eric Cantona (far left) was also inducted
The Irishman is widely regarded as one of the best central midfield players of his time
ROY KEANE MAKES HALL OF FAME… BUT GIVES A VERY SHORT Q&A
Congratulations on being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. How does it feel to be a Hall of Fame inductee?
‘I feel very lucky to be inducted but I’ve only been inducted because of the players I’ve played with.’
You won seven titles with Manchester United. Is there a favourite one from the seven, and why?
‘Every league title felt special.’
You were the captain during a hugely successful period at Old Trafford. What do you put your continued success with the club down to?
‘Quality players, brilliant characters, hunger and desire.’
Who were the biggest influences on your Premier League career, and how did they help you become the player you developed into?
‘Brian Clough [was my biggest influence] for signing and giving me my debut and his advice before my debut was telling me control the ball, pass it to my teammate and run, that was the foundation of my career.’
What was your favourite moment in your Premier League career and why?
‘Signing for Manchester United and walking into a brilliant dressing room.’
You were involved in some big midfield battles with the likes of Patrick Vieira in your time at Man Utd. Did the fierce rivalry with clubs like Arsenal drive you on to more success?
‘There were always teams out there looking to challenge us but the toughest challenge that I encountered was the competition for places at Manchester United.’
Keane received a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of his induction
Despite playing the majority of his career under Alex Ferguson, Keane named Clough as the man who had the biggest influence on him.
Keane was a huge part of the United team that dominated English football under Ferguson but the pair fell out after his acrimonious exit in 2005 and still don’t see eye to eye to this day.
As well as seven Premier League titles, Keane also won four FA Cups, four Community Shields, one Champions League and an Intercontinental Cup during his time at United.
Keane, who made 366 Premier League appearances, scoring 39 times and registering 33 assists, is widely regarded as one of the best central midfield players of his time and had a reputation for being a no-nonsense hardman.
He was involved in numerous intense midfield battles with Patrick Vieira throughout his career as United and Arsenal battled for supremacy in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Vieira was one of the players on the 23-man shortlist to be inducted next into the Hall of Fame, but Keane was given the nod with more combined votes from the public and the Premier League panel.
Keane was a no-nonsense hardman and shared intense battles with nemesis Patrick Vieira
He named Brian Clough over Sir Alex Ferguson as the biggest influence on his career
Keane played alongside some of the best players in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Ruud Van Nistelrooy (right) and credited them for the reason of his induction
The Arsenal icon may yet earn his spot with the Premier League set to announce another four players later this week.
Each inductee receives a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of their induction.
Earlier on Tuesday, Cantona became the third inductee for his glittering career with United, which saw him score 70 goals in 156 Premier League appearances and claim four league titles.
Speaking on his induction, the talismanic Frenchman said in true Cantona-style: ‘I am very happy and very proud, but at the same time I am not surprised. I would’ve been surprised if I had not been elected.
‘I think maybe there are nearly 30 players who could’ve been elected.
‘Me, it’s different. If you have to elect one, it’s me. But the other ones are all great. Me? I’m exceptional.’
Cantona, who is nicknamed King Eric, said he was not surprised by his induction on Tuesday
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