Roy Keane aims Ryder Cup dig at Rory McIlroy: ‘Upset by a few Yanks? Come to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night’

Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, Keane insisted the abuse that was fired at McIlroy and Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team by American fans at Bethpage in New York was inevitable for the visiting team.

McIlroy was among those who hit out at the behaviour of the American fans during and after the Ryder Cup, but Keane was not impressed by the complaints.

“I’m no expert on golf, but you are telling me these players were under pressure because a few people were shouting? Come to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night, let me tell you,” said Keane.

“These guys play in big tournaments every week, so all of a sudden they are going to be upset by a few Yanks?

“You’ve got McIlroy. He’s won all the big prizes. Do you think he’s going to be upset by a few people? It’s ridiculous.”

Keane also addressed the issue of the players’ wives and partners being abused at Bethpage and he had some typically candid advice.

“They get upset because of their partners, but let me tell you what I would say to my partner,” said an animated Keane.

“If I was a golfer and my partner was getting abuse, I’d tell them: ‘Just stay at the hotel, love. I’ll see you tonight when I get back.

“They don’t come to all the other tournaments, but guess what… you get a new outfit and you come to the Ryder Cup!

“You’ve got a lovely new outfit, a new belt, a new handbag and they are getting loads of stick. Well, go home.

“I can guarantee, they are going back to a nice hotel, they are not in a camp, a tent.

“They knew it was coming. It’s been built up for the last six months. Of course they knew they were going to get abused.”

Keane’s also had a dig at McIlroy, who famously suggested the former Manchester United captain refused to sign an autograph for him when he saw him at the Ireland team hotel when he was a child.

With a smirk on his face, Keane added: “Hey, I didn’t see him signing autographs afterwards, by the way. All them little kids waiting for him.”

Keane admitted he was no golf expert, but he insisted the destiny of the Ryder Cup was decided on the opening more at Bethpage, as the European team stormed into an early lead.

“It was as over after two hours, course it was,” added Keane. “Nothing happened on Sunday. It was over on Friday.

“It’s like a football team that are 4-0 and they get one back, but it’s never going to happen. We are 4-1 up.

“I’m watching at home and it was over after two hours, I’m telling you.”

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