Arsenal academy chief Liam Brady refused to bite back at taunts from Sunderland boss Roy Keane over his appointment to the Republic of Ireland coaching staff.

Speaking last week in Dublin, Keane mocked Brady's appointment, labelling him as nothing more than a "translator" for Giovanni Trapattoni, but the Arsenal academy director was keen to put personal differences aside.

"I was very surprised - that it took so long," Brady joked of Keane's insult. "You know as well as I do that Roy and myself go back a long way, with a difference in opinion of how things went in 2002.

"I took my stance, and in all probability what he had to say was down to that particular stance. I have to work with him, the new manager has to work with him.

"He's done a great job with Sunderland and it looks like they will stay up so I hope him, and his assistants, can develop the Ireland players who are with him.

"I think it's time now to forget about that. It's about Trapattoni, we have a campaign to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa and that's all that matters.

"My personal issue with Roy should be totally forgotten and that's what I'm doing from today."