Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane insists that he was not "emotional" after the final whistle against Italy, but merely happy.
Speaking to the press today, the former Manchester United captain said that the
"It’s called being happy. Try it, it’s good," he said, "I’m not sure what you’re supposed to say after a game, we were just pleased.
"We knew from when we got involved with the senior team a couple of years ago, it was going to be a tough old road ahead with the qualification, through the play-offs, the tough group we had, so we are just pleased for the players, the manager, the staff and the supporters.
"They were really great celebrations. You saw what it meant to the players with their interviews afterwards and like I said, sometimes when you are playing a game, you are doing it for yourself and your team-mates and your family and your manager and your staff.
"But I really felt the players the other night really wanted to give the supporters a night to remember. I just felt it in my bones, and they did and I think everyone really enjoyed it.
"It’s just a shame that we won’t have that many supporting us at the next game."
Robbie Brady was shifted from a defensive role into midfield on Wednesday and when asked whether this trend would continue against France, Keane said that Brady was more than capable of playing in either position.
"Like all good players, Robbie can play in a number of positions. I think he'll be just happy to be in the starting XI in the next game. Wherever he might be playing will depend on how Wardy (Stephen Ward) will react to his injury. Obviously he got a knock. Robbie is a really good player, a lot of quality. We saw in the goal he showed a lot of courage and bravery to make that run, which I think should be pretty standard for most midfielders.
Robbie Brady was clearly emotional after the final whistle in Lille. Image: ©INPHO/Matteo Ciambelli
"We're delighted to have him. I think you saw after the game what it meant to the lad and his family. We're the oldest squad at the Euros but we've got some god young players. I think if Brady plays in left back for us he'll do well in that position. I f he plays in the middle of the park, he'll be able to do that too. He's got the energy and the quality to look after the ball.
"We talk about his delivery constantly, but there's a lot more to Robbie Brady than set plays and we saw that with the goal the other night. It was a huge moment for him, you could see what it meant to him."
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