Martin O'Neill says that Roy Keane's critique of the Republic of Ireland players in the wake of their 2-1 defeat to Belarus was "slightly on the strong side" but insists that any criticism is taken on board "if it is appropriate".
Keane was scathing in his assessment of a number of Ireland players after the loss at Turner’s Cross last week, with Everton midfielder Aiden McGeady, in particular, told that he "could do a lot better".
O'Neill said that the players who came in for criticism had spoken with Keane and that they are "absolutely fine".
"I think Roy has already had a word with [McGeady]. I think Roy’s words were, as he said himself ‘slightly on the strong side’ if that’s the case, and he’s spoken to Aiden and the other players involved but the players are absolutely fine."
The Ireland squad will fly out to France on Wednesday before taking on Sweden at the Stade De France in the first game of Group E on Monday, June 13.
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