Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has backed his assistant Roy Keane following his most recent outburst.
The former Manchester United captain was involved in an altercation with a fan at the team hotel in Dublin last week, hit out at Everton for their handling of injuries to two Irish players and criticised reporters who suggest he has become a distraction to the team.
Ahead of Tuesday night's friendly with the USA at the Aviva Stadium, O'Neill defended Keane's actions saying he has been great for the Irish side and that he has no problem with the way he handles things.
"Every single time that you mention Roy, it either seems to be a distraction or another issue. Let me tell you straight: I'm delighted to have him," he said.
"I chose in the first place to bring him in here, he's been terrific, he's really been terrific. He has been terrific around the lads, he has been great. He has been everything that I wanted him to be.
"All the distractions - some things have materialised that actually aren't of his doing to begin with, so I haven't a problem.
"He's got a mind of his own, he can say what he wants. Again, unless it's absolutely and utterly in contradiction with what I am saying to you, then I do not have a problem with it. It is not an issue all the time."
