Roy Keane has humorously stated that he will relocate overseas, potentially to Australia, if England triumphs at Euro 2024.
The Irishman, an integral part of ITV’s punditry team for the tournament in Germany, acknowledged that he would give Gareth Southgate’s side their due credit if they emerge as champions.
England now face their most challenging test of the competition as they square off against Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Dusseldorf.
This encounter follows a nail-biting round-of-16 match, where England scraped through thanks to a stunning 95th-minute overhead kick from Jude Bellingham, equalizing the score before Harry Kane secured their victory in extra time.
Roy Keane has joked about leaving the country if England wins the European Championship
England is set to face Switzerland in a crucial quarter-final match on Saturday night, marking their biggest challenge yet
Keane acknowledged that he would give credit to Gareth Southgate’s side if they emerge victorious
Keane, a former Manchester United midfielder and an Irish international with 67 caps to his name, shared his thoughts on Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, presented by Sky Bet.
He drew a comparison to his experience as a pundit, saying, “When we do the TV, we have to praise Manchester City. If a team wins something, you have to give them credit.”
Keane continued lightheartedly, “I’d be immigrating, obviously, if they win it—probably Melbourne or Sydney!”
Contrasting Keane’s playful threat to leave the country, former England stars Gary Neville and Ian Wright confessed that they would become quite emotional if England were to win.
Neville, an England veteran with 85 caps and a member of the Euro 96 squad, shared, “I would get emotional [if England wins Euro 2024]. I’ve never cried at a football match. I’d cry if England wins the tournament.”
Wright, who scored nine goals in 33 games for England, expressed his desire for England to win for Southgate, saying, “You know why I’d probably cry—if it [winning Euro 2024] happens for Gareth. That would get to me.”
Ian Wright (left) shared that he would become emotional if England wins, particularly for Gareth Southgate’s sake
Gary Neville (left) confessed he’d also become emotional, while Jill Scott (right) said she’d get a tattoo to commemorate the win
Wright elaborated, “Someone sent me a picture the other day from when we were at [Crystal Palace], and you know when you do the team photo with the youth team. Gareth was sitting in front of me, and look where he’s gone now, look where he’s reached.”
He continued, “I’d love to see him do that. It would just make me feel really good.”
Meanwhile, former Lionesses star Jill Scott revealed on Stick to Football: The Overlap Special that she would commemorate an England victory with a tattoo.
“I’d get another tattoo [if England wins Euro 2024]. I’d just end up with all these tattoos,” she said. “I’d get the date or something if they won—it’s special!”
Despite questions being raised about England’s performances in Germany and criticism directed at Southgate’s team selections and substitutions, Keane believes that England fans should unite behind their team and celebrate their quarter-final achievement.
“People should stop complaining about England’s performances because they are still in the tournament, and that’s the most important thing,” the ITV pundit asserted.
Harry Kane (center) scored the winning goal that propelled England into the quarter-finals last Sunday
Jude Bellingham (center) produced a stunning overhead kick to force extra time after England conceded first
Keane urged England fans to rally behind their team and stop complaining about their performances
Keane added, “Imagine if England played well and still got knocked out of the tournament. The reaction would be worse. England has brilliant attacking players who have gotten the team out of trouble, and that’s what I expected before the tournament.”
He concluded, “It’s been a while since England consistently played well, but that struggle is fine when you have match-winning players. If England reaches the semi-final or final, playing ugly, no one will complain.”
Roy Keane was speaking on Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, brought to you by Sky Bet