Roy Keane death stare: Ex-Manchester United midfielder shuts down reporter over James McCarthy questions

The Irishman's death stare is back and it's more terrifying than ever

Roy Keane, the Republic of Ireland assistant manager, delivered a typically intimidating riposte to questions from a reporter concerning his thoughts on James McCarthy’s future at Everton.

The 45-year-old was taking questions ahead of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia on Monday but appeared to take umbrage at one request to provide detail on whether McCarthy’s uncertain club future could damage his international fortunes.

Asked what advice he would give to the midfielder in light of speculation that Everton manager Ronald Koeman wanted to sell him this summer, Keane replied: “I don’t know if that’s true or not. Did he not start against West Brom? If you know something more than me? Did he start against West Brom?

“And he was injured for the game against Stoke. So if that’s a manager’s plans, then what about all the other players who started against West Brom? Everyone gets linked with stuff. Just do your homework.

“Obviously they’ve kept him on. They’ve not sold him have they? So maybe their manager does like him … Nonsense.”

Meanwhile, the former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder said he sees shades of Denis Irwin in Seamus Coleman's emergence as one of the Republic of Ireland's new leaders.

He said: “I think he leads. Would I compare him to Denis Irwin? I don't mean in the football sense, but the way Denis played. Denis led by being a brilliant player and Seamus Coleman is the same type of player.

“He leads by the way he plays, and that's by being a brilliant player and a good lad. He doesn't look like he gets too high one way and too low the other, he's just a real Steady Eddie - and I mean that in the nicest possible way, just like Denis was.

“Just the fact that I'm talking in the same breath as Denis Irwin tells you what I think of Seamus. I don't do that with many players, not in terms of comparing them to Denis.”

See above for just the latest Keane put-down in full...