Roy Keane launched a furious rant at James McClean during a dressing room row while on Republic of Ireland duty in 2017, but the winger responded by scoring in the following game. McClean, now 37, details the incident in his autobiography The Walls.
Half-Time Dressing Room Confrontation
McClean celebrated his 50th international cap by captaining Ireland in a friendly against Mexico in June 2017. He had a poor game as his side lost 3-1, having conceded a penalty in the first half. Keane, who was Martin O'Neill's assistant at the time, unleashed his wrath on McClean and his team-mates at half-time.
Writing in his autobiography, as per the Irish Independent, McClean said: "Martin [O'Neill] had just finished his bit when Roy came over, got right in my face and started f***ing me out of it."
Keane continued: "Look at you, the f***ing captain, f***ing giving off, yeah? You were taking pictures before the game with f***ing Mick Conlan. Your head isn't f***ing in it."
Second Rant in the Gym
McClean remained silent during the scolding, but Keane doubled down by accusing him of "having a big ego" in another furious rant during a gym session. McClean wrote: "He said he'd never been critical of me in the press or around the group, and now, the first time he'd said anything, I'd pulled him up over it."
Keane also brought up an alleged incident at Sunderland involving a Lamborghini, which McClean said was "f***ing six years earlier." McClean added: "I was thinking he must have been seething for the afternoon, gathering information."
Perfect Response on the Pitch
McClean responded to Keane's comments in the best possible way, scoring in Ireland's 3-1 friendly win over Uruguay in the following game and performing a selfie celebration. He went on to reach 103 caps for Ireland, scoring 11 goals.
McClean returned to his hometown club Derry City in January 2026 but has not played for the side since August due to a public dispute with the club hierarchy. Keane left his role as Ireland's assistant manager in November 2018, departing alongside O'Neill and the rest of the coaching staff after a poor run of form. His last managerial role was a five-month tenure as O'Neill's assistant at Nottingham Forest.
