Nottingham Forest legend Gary Birtles says he expects new Town coach Ian McParland to be a success at Portman Road. The former Notts County manager joined the staff this week ahead of Sunday’s trip to Cardiff.
Birtles says McParland, who is known as ‘Charlie’ and who was a coach at Forest for 10 years before joining the Magpies, could teach Keane one or two things about the game: "Keane says Charlie was a man he quickly began to respect after meeting him on a couple of different coaching courses.
"And I am really not surprised, because Charlie is just a football man through and through. More to the point, he knows what he is talking about.
"It may seem like an unlikely pairing to some, but I wouldn't be surprised if it worked out brilliantly for Ipswich. Keane could actually learn a thing or two from Charlie.
"I don't think they will be struggling for long — and I think Charlie will soon prove that it may have been a little soon to get rid of him at Meadow Lane.”
Birtles says McParland, like Keane, is no shrinking violet: "I would not like to be caught up in the middle if Roy Keane and Charlie McParland ever fall out at Ipswich.
"I'm honestly not sure who I would put my money on out of the fiery tempered duo. It would be a close run thing. And not very pretty.
"I have seen Charlie lose his rag in the past and he could give Keane a run for his money, without doubt!”
Meanwhile, Cardiff striker Michael Chopra says that Keane saved his career during his gambling and marriage problems when he was at Sunderland: "I owe Roy a lot. He was a massive help to me when I had some off-field problems at Sunderland.
"If I had a problem I knew I could go and speak to him. All I had to do was knock on his door.
"He was the one who told me check into rehab and sort myself out. I did that and came back a better player. After everything he did for me, I’ve got a lot of time and respect for him.
"I will always be grateful for the help and support he gave me. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”
Chopra dismisses suggestions that Keane rules purely by fear: "Any manager will lose his temper if he thinks your not doing your job and giving 100% - he’s not different to Dave Jones.
"People have this perception of Roy being a big, bad guy but he’s got a softer side. He’s shown he can be very compassionate.”