Roy Keane has launched a surprising attack on Town legend Paul Mariner for failing to join him for a drink after Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Plymouth. Keane always makes a point of meeting up with opposition managers after matches and has previously spoken out against bosses who haven’t bothered with the convention.
The Blues boss, who had lauded Mariner’s achievements with Town before the game, said: "I’ve no problem with Paul coming back here, but after the game Paul didn’t have the decency to come down for a drink with us, to see my staff, to see the opposition manager. He was too busy up here seeing all his mates.
"You remember these things in football. It’s not bad blood because I couldn’t have spoken highly enough about Paul before the game, but have the decency to come down for a drink after the game.”
Keane said he asked the former England striker to join him for a second time but he was with Town’s former chairman: "He found his way up here with Mr Sheepshanks and all them when I invited him for a drink again.”
The Town manager says he and his management team always make a point of meeting with their opposite numbers after games: "It's not going to change the result, I appreciate that and it's not bad blood, far from it.
"It gets me because when we go to away games I make sure that all my staff go in for a drink, win, lose or draw. That's representing your club, particularly when you're asked.”