Roy Keane expects Robbie Keane to play for Ireland 'as long as he's not breast-feeding'

The national team's assistant manager gave short shrift to a journalist's question

The former Manchester United captain is known to not suffer fools (Getty Images)

Roy Keane was, as usual, not in the mood for silly questions on Monday afternoon.

While speaking to the press ahead of the Republic of Ireland's pivotal Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany this Thursday, one reporter asked whether veteran striker Robbie Keane would be available for selection.

Keane, the national team's assistant to manager Martin O'Neill, looked perplexed by the question. "Robbie? Why wouldn't he be?", he asked.

"Well, his wife just had a baby...", reasoned the reporter, already on the back foot, which teed up Keane for a textbook response.

Roy Keane says Robbie Keane will be available to play against Germany on Thursday night "unless he’s breastfeeding" https://t.co/TCg2uaU2Cy

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 6, 2015

"Well he didn't have the baby did he?" And then, once he'd realised the journalists laughter rippling around him, smelling fresh blood...

"Unless he's breastfeeding he should be alright."

A funny response. One very drole and matter of fact, you almost miss him battening down a smile until it's reduced to slight, barely perceptible smirk.

Robbie Keane is expected to play against Germany, if you hadn't already guessed.

It is, of course, not the first time that Keane has given short shrift to a journalist's line of questioning.

His passive aggressive pièce de résistance came during his time at Ipswich Town, when one brave soul dared to question his job security.

Today, however, was more Keane about playing to the crowd. He's shown much more of that since joining the Republic of Ireland set-up and even got self-referential in his introductory press conference.

When asked whether he was enjoying the role, he harked back to the infamous row purpotedly over facilities that saw him leave Ireland's 2002 World Cup squad.

"The hotel's been great, the food has been lovely, the training ground is lovely - no potholes, we've footballs, there's even bibs," he said at the time.

"Major progress."