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I’ll start this week by talking about the drive I had around Manchester with Micah Richards and Roy Keane, where I got Roy’s perspective of what happened in Saipan back in 2002.
It was fascinating to get his insight. I asked him, “Do you have any regrets?” I thought he was going to say, “Maybe.” But he said he doesn't really have any, and was just disappointed by the way it was handled. He said if Mick McCarthy had come up to him, knocked on his door and just apologised, Roy Keane would have still been at the World Cup.
Clinton was speaking on behalf of Freebets.com.
Republic of Ireland 2002 star: 'Mick McCarthy felt he didn't have anything to apologise for'
But McCarthy felt he didn't have anything to apologise for. Maybe in hindsight, McCarthy looks back and thinks that he shouldn't have confronted him about the newspaper article where he criticised Ireland’s preparations in front of the whole squad. But then he might think, “I'm the manager and I shouldn't have to apologise to players.” There are a lot of nuances to the debate. But I thought Roy was outstanding in the way he spoke about it.
Looking back on the whole incident now, I don't think McCarthy was right to question Roy in front of everybody. All that Roy wanted was for everything to be done up to scratch. However, if he had waited another day, FIFA had sorted out what was one of the best facilities ever after we left Saipan. The whole situation could have been handled totally differently, and if it was, Roy Keane would have been there playing with his country and helping us progress.
We had a good tournament, but we would have had an even better one with him there. You do miss a player of his calibre. But these things happen, and that was probably the most talked about thing in the tournament because he is such a high-profile name.
Personally, I couldn't believe that our best player was leaving before the World Cup started and about to go home. He played a big part in us qualifying, and was our leader, our captain. You speak to Roy about it now and he believes what he believes. He didn't have regrets because he didn't leave, he got sent home.
It didn’t divide the dressing room though. Everyone was together and it galvanised us. We knew we were losing our best player and everyone thought we were going to struggle. But it motivated us and we did better than people probably expected. We got out of the group stages and we shouldn't have lost to Spain on penalties. I think Ian Harte missed a penalty in normal time, and if he scores that we go through.
We had a great chance to get to the quarter-finals and maybe beyond that, the way we were playing. We had great team spirit and had club-level camaraderie. It would have annoyed and upset people that Roy had left, but we stuck together and managed to do well.
I have to say that I love Roy Keane, and got on with him so well. He's got so many one-liners, and you never know from his face whether he's being serious or not. You don't captain Manchester United for so many years if you're not a top player, and he was exactly that. When we meet up, we always have a laugh. He’s just a top guy, a top player, and now, a top pundit. He doesn't say things just for the sake of it. He gave me his time too. Whenever I wanted to sit down and ask about football or life, he'd always give me advice.
Looking ahead to this summer now, and I feel that England’s biggest barrier to winning the World Cup is not themselves, but the strength of the other teams in this tournament. However, there’s no question they can go all the way this summer.
Thomas Tuchel has picked a squad which he feels can go and win it. One of his big concerns is around Bukayo Saka, who might not start or finish every game, given the injuries he suffered during the season.
But if England turn up in every game, they're good enough to go on and win it because they have talented players, and one of the best strikers in the world in Harry Kane. He's had a phenomenal season at Bayern Munich. He's the key. If he stays fit, England have a great chance.
People will criticise Kane for dropping deep, but that’s something he has done his whole career. The key is to have other runners in behind him. Jude Bellingham is also so important. I know there's a debate between Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, but Bellingham has to be playing in my opinion. He turns up on the big stage.
Although, I have to say France are the favourites right now. They have so many game changers going forward, and their starting 11 is outstanding. Then you look at the bench and they have so many top-quality players who can come on in those attacking areas.
You can’t rule out the South American teams though, whether it’s Brazil or Argentina. Brazil are being seen as dark horses, which is strange when they’ve got a serial winner in Carlo Ancelotti in charge. There are some seriously talented players in the squad, while Spain also have some outstanding young players, with the likes of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
I think the winner comes from one of France, Brazil, or Argentina, but don't rule out Spain, England, or Portugal.
