Greg Halford is critical of former Sunderland boss Roy Keane and brands Ipswich boss Keane's man-management as "non-existent" and is delighted to have got his career up and running again under Mick McCarthy, reports the Birmingham Mail. Asked to compare McCarthy's ability to handle players and Keane's, Halford said: "It's a no-brainer.

"One thing I always said about Keano was that his man-management was non-existent.

"He didn't like players coming up to his office and talking about things.

"I think that was another downfall of mine because I wanted to go up and speak my mind and say 'why aren't I playing?'

"Every player at Sunderland under Keano would tell you the same that it was difficult to talk to him."

Halford says he was left in the dark as to why he wasn't getting a game.

"It was never explained why," he said. "Keane is the type of person that once he has made his decision he doesn't have to explain it to anyone. He keeps it to himself. Once his mind is made up, it is made up and there is no changing it.

"Was it personal? Our personalities clashed, definitely. It turned into a personal thing between the two of us.

"There was a lot of stuff that happened behind the scenes which I don't really want to get into.

"Even before I signed I was a bit sceptical. I asked him 'how many times have you come and watched me?'.

"He changed the subject, so there was a little doubt in my head which I should have listened to in the first place.

"I couldn't imagine him buying anyone else after my performance for Colchester against Sunderland. He wanted to sign me.

"He carried on with his persistence for seven or eight months before he actually got me. Then once he got me, he dropped me.

"It was very frustrating. I was training well every day, putting everything into it.

"But once he had his favourite team in mind, that was it and there was nothing I could do about it - especially when Phil Bardsley came in, ex-Manchester United."