Keith Duggan on why Roy Keane has put the World Cup and club contract talks to the back of his mind

Put a blank sheet headed "Places I Would Rather Be Right Now" in front of Roy Keane and he wouldn't have to labour much in filling it in. But here he is, in a conference room after training, voluntarily facing the music, or the questions he has heard a thousand times before.

So much time has been spent marvelling at Keane's stunning field displays for Ireland that his evolution as a conscientious leader, as the guardian of this squad, has been overlooked. The general reverence that the Manchester United player inspires on the street does not stop at the front entrance of the training ground. Many of his young international colleagues have openly confessed their awe for Keane and these are not young men that could be described as wide-eyed. And as Ireland prepare for tonight's international against Russia, Keane's message to the new wave, the contenders, is simple.

"We have a few young players in the squad now and this is a good opportunity for them to be given a chance. We are well aware of what the senior players can do. I know it is important to win matches but sometimes it is also important to give these players a chance," he says.

For the outsiders, those on the margins, Keane's words will be a tonic. From John O'Shea, whom Keane praises handsomely, to Steven Reid and Richie Sadlier, such words are gold dust. Praise from Roy is praise worth preserving.

Anyone he is asked about is afforded a generous appraisal, often laced with wonderfully sly humour. The sudden arrival of Celtic's Colin Healy, who has lit up all of Coventry during his short loan spell, brings a bit of Cork company into the squad for Keane.

"Yeah, it's great," he grins, "he saw Denis off and . . . nah, it's nice, nice for Colin, he's a nice lad and looks a good player. Hopefully he will get a chance to stake a claim now. Even in training, he likes to get involved, likes to be on the ball, is a very good tackler."

It is not secret that when Keane is an old man, you won't find him reminiscing about all the brilliant friendly games he played in. Nights like tonight are a necessary nuisance and with the Premiership at its most frenetic, it is a matter of doing his duty and returning to immediate business of winning the title.

"It's too interesting. I preferred it last year when we were 15 points clear but that's the way it's gone, we've lost too many games this year and it will probably go to the last match. But if that's the way it has to be done, so be it."

Happy that the speculation regarding Alex Ferguson has finally settled, he is circumspect about his own tenure at Old Trafford. "The reason I employ solicitors is to sort things out like that," says, face beaming but the eyes inviting no further enquiry. "Honestly, it's not an issue for me, I'm concentrating on playing football. Talks are on-going, it's as simple as that."

Perspective is everything to Keane and although the rest of the country is already salivating at the thought of the World Cup, Keane has catalogued it and put is aside.

"Maybe you can sense it among the people we meet, the fans and whatever. But it is important that you do try to put it at the back of your mind. We do have important club matches. Having said that, we are looking forward to it, it will be a great experience for the lads who have not been involved in a major tournament. I was lucky enough to be involved in '94 and that's why you play football, to play in World Cups and hopefully we can do well.

"I think too, though, that it is important that people don't get carried away. We are going there with a lot of confidence to be fair and if we get through the first phase, who knows?

"But once again, you have got to concentrate on one game at a time and that's what we will be doing."

And you know he means it. Tonight, Roy Keane will see only Russia.