Roy Keane was generous in his praise of those who helped him on his way as he accepted the English Football Writers player of the year award in London last night. He paid tribute to Cork clubs Rockmount, "it was my first club. I was there for nine years," and Cobh Ramblers.
"Brian Clough and Nottingham Forest were fantastic as well, and Brian Kidd (the former assistant coach at Manchester United) deserves special mention," he said. He also praised the staff and supporters of Manchester United "and especially Alex Ferguson".
Keane paid tribute to his wife and three children. He thanked "the 53 per cent of the football writers who voted for me. I don't know what the other 47 per cent were doing".
Meanwhile, Matt Holland, the Ipswich midfielder, is almost certain to be absent when the Republic of Ireland open their end-of-season programme against Scotland at Lansdowne Road on May 30th.
The latest problem for Mick McCarthy materialised after Ipswich had staged their remarkable recovery on Wednesday to pip Bolton for a place in the final of the First Division play-off.
That game will take place on the eve of the international fixture in Dublin and effectively rules him out of that fixture.
McCarthy has no monopoly in misfortune, however, as Craig Brown, the Scotland manager, was quick to emphasise when he named a weakened squad of 20. Missing for various reasons are Colin Hendry, David Weir, Callum Davidson, Tom Boyd and Jackie McNamara who in normal circumstances would have been in line for selection.
SCOTLAND SQUAD: J Gould (Celtic), N Sullivan (Wimbledon), C Daily (Blackburn), M Elliott (Leicester City), G Naysmith (Hearts), B O'Neill (VFL Wolfsburg), P Ritchie (Bolton), P Telfer (Coventry), C Burley (Derby Co), C Cameron (Hearts), I Durrant (Kilmarnock), B Ferguson (Rangers), G Holt (Kilmarnock), A Johnston (Sunderland), P Lambert (Celtic), M Burchill (Celtic), B Dodds (Rangers), K Gallacher (Newcastle), D Hutchison (Everton), N McCann (Rangers).
Serie A champions Lazio pulled off a historic double last night when they held Inter Milan to a tense 0-0 draw at San Siro to lift the Italian Cup.
Arsenal look set to sign Robert Pires in a Stg£7 million deal. The Marseilles defender may quit the club after they narrowly avoided relegation this season.
Barnsley will face Ipswich at Wembley for a place in the Premiership after a 5-2 aggregate playoff semi-final victory over Birmingham at Oakwell last night. Birmingham won 2-1 on the night, but it was not enough after their 40 first-leg mauling at St Andrews on Saturday.
