Martin O’Neill lends his support to Roy Keane

The FAI released a statement this morning through Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill lending their support to assistant manager Roy Keane after he was involved in an altercation at the team hotel last night.

Gardai and an ambulance were called to the Portmanock Hotel and Golf Links where the team were staying ahead of tomorrow night's Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow following an incident between Keane and a member of the public.

O’Neill has given Keane his full support after the incident, saying: “The FAI and I have been fully briefed about the circumstances of what happened at the team hotel last night.

“Roy asked that the Gardai be called and he has notified them of what happened. While this process is ongoing we are unable to say more at this point.

"However I can say that after being made aware of the facts Roy has both my full support and the full support of the FAI and John Delaney.

“We are now focused as we have been all week on the game in hand and we won’t be saying anything more about this issue.”

It is believed the incident occurred after a group of supporters had gathered outside the hotel in North Dublin in hope of meeting members of the Irish set-up, and a scuffle occurred after an object was thrown from the crowd.

A supporter claimed he sustained an injury during the fracas and is believed to have been taken away for medical treatment.

The incident has provided an unwelcome distraction for O’Neill and his side, who head to Celtic Park without midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy who have both lost their race to be fit in time to play.