Roy Keane heaps praise on England and Lee Carsley after their impressive 3-0 win in Greece… but former Ireland captain can’t resist a dig at old rivals

Roy Keane was quick to hail England’s performance in their 3-0 win over Greece on Thursday – but that praise came with a price. 

England avenged the 2-1 defeat they suffered at Wembley last month to go top of the Nations League group, after goals from Ollie Watkins, debutant Curtis Jones and own goal from Odysseas Vlachodimos. 

Lee Carsley’s side had come into the game with much of the discussion about those players not joining up with the squad, and as such will be even more pleased to have put in such a good performance. 

Jude Bellingham in particular, who has struggled for form so far this season at Real Madrid, played with a ‘swagger’, according to Keane, in a much more improved display. 

‘He’s got that quality, swagger. Performance was mature. He’s an outstanding player. They earned their right for that bit of luck,’ Keane told ITV after the final whistle. 

‘They tried to play with their skill without putting the graft in at Wembley. You’ve got to earn the right to play. 

‘Tonight was a proper team performance, mature and they showed their quality.’

Keane’s co-pundit on ITV Ian Wright picked out a different player for their showing at Athens’ Olympic Stadium.  

‘Curtis Jones was so determined, wanted to get into the box. He’s got the ability to adjust and do that. Brilliant tonight,’ he said of the Liverpool star on his debut.  

But after praising his former rivals England, Keane was quick to balance the books somewhat, aiming a jab at the Three Lions. 

‘You’ve got an Irish fella getting you top of the group and a German waiting to take over!’ he said.

Current interim boss, who will step aside after the game against Ireland this weekend, representing the Boys in Green 40 times between 1997 and 2008. 

Thomas Tuchel may not have been at the game on Thursday – which was a decision that has come under fire from some corners – but he will take over from Carsley from the start of 2025.   

The side he inherits will now likely finish their Nations League campaign as group winners, providing they can beat Ireland in their final clash. 

Though a number of players were unavailable for Thursday’s game, Wright was pleased to see some of those who perhaps might not have had a chance under other circumstances perform.  

‘That’s why ideally you want to focus on the players coming in,’ he said after the game. 

‘What you want is them to come and do what they did, so that the players who are out of it, who are injured, and let them understand it’s not going to be easy getting in. That’s how the team progresses, you’ve got players pushing you.

‘They were under pressure tonight and performed. They were professional tonight.’

Keane added: ‘For England, it’s all positive. The big players performed, young players stepped up. Lee Carsley deserves huge praise. They really looked like they enjoyed it. They didn’t seem to be under that much pressure and played with freedom.’