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Beckham full of praise for Ireland and 'best midfielder' Roy Keane
Manchester United's David Beckham (R) celebrates scoring against Sunderland with captain Roy Keane (L) during their English premier league match at Old Trafford, Manchester, February 2, 2002. REUTERS/Ian Hodgson
Former England soccer team captain David Beckham attends a promotional event in Shanghai November 21, 2013.
David Beckham congratulates his Manchester United colleague Roy Keane, after Keane had scored the winning goal against Arsenal at Highbury, Sunday August 22, 1999. (PA Photo/ Sean Dempsey)
Manchester United's David Beckham (centre), Roy Keane (left) and Nicky Butt at Chester Race Course, Wednesday May 7, 2003. PA Photo: Martin Rickett
Manchester United's David Beckham, (left) Roy Keane (front right) and Laurent Blanc, look dejected after Deportivo La Coruna's second goal during the UEFA Champions League, Group G match at Old Trafford, Manchester,Wednesday 17th October 2001. PA Photo: Nick Potts.
Manchester United's team (top row, L-R) Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown, Captain Roy Keane, David Beckham and Michelle Silvestre, bottom row (L-R) Ryan Giggs, Teddy Sheringham, goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, Jaap Stam and Andy Cole pose in their new kit at the club's training ground in Carrington May 3, 2001. REUTERS/Ferran Paredes
European club soccer champion Manchester United team members and coach leave after their arrival press conference, Saturday, Nov 27, 1999 at a hotel in Tokyo. Leaving the hotel are (left to right) Roy Keane, head coach Sir. Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, and Ryan Giggs. AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane during the pre-match warm up. Friendly International, Poland v Republic of Ireland, Municipal Stadium, Poznan, Poland. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, left, and assistant manager Roy Keane during the playing of the National Anthem. Friendly International, Poland v Republic of Ireland, Municipal Stadium, Poznan, Poland. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
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FORMER Manchester United star David Beckham has revealed his love for Ireland and spoken about how Roy Keane was the best captain he ever played under.
The 38-year-old football star, who retired from football after playing last season in France with Paris Saint-Germain, married his wife Victoria in Dublin's Luttrellstown Castle in 1999.
“I love Ireland honestly. I'm not just saying it because you're sat here asking me but I promise you I love Ireland,” he said.
“It's a special place because we got married there. Every time I visit Ireland, it's really unbelievable.
“The people are so nice and I love Guinness so I can't wait to come back,” he said.
Beckham was speaking ahead of Class of 92, a documentary about the crop of young players who defined a remarkable era at Manchester United.
And he had high praise for the recently appointed assistant manager of Ireland and his former team mate - Roy Keane.
“You know I've never played with a player that has been so driven and talented and the will to win, you know there is no one that I've played with that is like Roy.
“He's the best captain I've ever played with. The best mid-fielder I've ever played with,” the former England captain said.
He was talking to TV3's Glenda Gilson in an Xpose interview aired last night.
And with United currently struggling in the Premier League, Beckham said that he believed the champion “class of '92” would never be repeated.
“Personally, I'm biased, but I don't think we'll ever have a team like that again.
“I hope we do because it was so special to have lived through that,” he said.
“We talk about obviously the '92 team but we wouldn't have been successful without Peter Schmeichel, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce and Paul Ince, Mark Hughes, Eric Cantona and of course Roy [Keane],” he said.
hnews@herald.ie
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