BRUCE BACKS KEANE

Last updated : 22 February 2004 By Editor
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce told Radio 5 Live:

"The manager very rarely criticises his players in public. He
leaves it to his captain. With the money involved, people
can get above their station before they have done anything.

"If Roy detects that, he is not going to allow it to happen
in his dressing room. When I was there with Bryan Robson and
Brian McClair, we all felt we could help the young lads like
the Butts, Beckhams and Scholes' of this world.

"You keep their feet on the ground, tell them to learn how
to deal with the game and not shout it from the rooftops
before they have achieved anything.

"It would not matter what you paid Roy, Scholes, Beckham or
Butt - they are not bothered about salaries, they are only
intent on getting out on the pitch and making sure the team
they play for tries to win every competition and match.

"That is what makes the top player. They always have that
hunger and desire. You have everything in life, you have
your big house and big car and maybe a big boat too. But
there is something in them that makes them the top players
they are."