KEANE ISN'T READY TO STOP YET

Last updated : 23 December 2004 By editor

Quoted in the Daily Mail, Keano said, "I could not be happier at the club and my biggest challenge is to keep going as long as I can. I have another year and a half left and I intend to see that out. If I am still able to play on after that, then I hope it will be at United.


"If I feel as good as this physically in a year's time, then I will hopefully try to play on. As long as United want me, then I'm happy to stay. I don't like looking too far ahead as things can change quickly.

"But if, please God, I can stay fit and feel strong and doing okay, then it's possible I could stay. I hope that there will be some more highlights to come in my career with this club."

He feels that he has matured, and now has a more relaxed on-field persona:


"As you get older you learn to try to relax a bit more. If a certain player does wind me up and I focus on that one individual I realise I am taking myself away from my own team. If there is a ball there to win I will go to win it but I'm not going in for the argy bargy. I've had too many incidents like that over the years."


Looking at this season’s title challenge he said, "We do have two or three important players injured but that is where the squad comes into it. I'm not sure I can play four games. The manager will look at the priority of getting the team right but physically I feel really good at the moment.


"We're aware we are chasing three teams now and we can't afford any slip-ups. I think it is an important second half of the season and if and when Chelsea slip up we are ready to pounce. We have bought one or two good young players and hopefully they will get stronger in the new year.


"The foundations of the team and the club are rock solid. Where to judge it is on the football pitch and hopefully we can do that in some of the big games coming up."


Keane also had praise for Chelsea’s current form:


"The way Chelsea are playing you have to give credit where it's due. Their team is a lot better than the ones over the last few years. Their manager this year seems to be stronger mentally but only time will tell if they can handle the pressure."