Keane determined Ireland will avoid French sing song

Assistant manager Roy Keane says the Republic of Ireland are going to Euro 2016 to win games and make an impression on the tournament, not for a sing song and a party.

In his role as a television pundit, Keane was critical of Irish fans in Poland and Ukraine four years ago when they carried on the party even though the team were easily defeated by Croatia, Spain and Italy.

Now in his role as Martin O’Neill’s assistant, Keane says there has been a shift in attitude, particularly amongst those inside the camp.

He says it is vitally important everyone connected to the Irish set-up is singing from the same hymn-sheet this summer – namely that the team should make progress in the tournament and ask some questions of the bigger nations.

Recalling his criticism from four years ago, Keane said he was simply against the idea of going to a major tournament to make up the numbers and have a good time.

“It was more the mindset of maybe the supporters and one or two of the players,” he explained. “We have brilliant supporters who do love a singsong and always bring something to every tournament.

“But our mindset must be, listen, it’s great we’ve qualified but let’s not come back after a week or two and say that was great.” Ireland face another tough challenge in France, where they will meet Sweden, Belgium and Italy next month.

With the expanded format meaning 16 of the 24 participating nations will advance into the knockout stage, Keane says both he and O’Neill share similar goals going into the tournament. “Martin is from the same mindset as myself, we want to make a mark,” he said.

“We don’t just want to just go over there, turn up and say, listen, let’s have a few pints and a singsong. I think those days are gone with Ireland, particularly with Martin on board and hopefully with myself and some of the other staff and to be fair, the players we have now got involved.

We want to stay as long as we can, get out of the group, take on some of the bigger countries.” Republic of Ireland are 11.00 to be eliminated from Euro 2016 at the quarter-final stage.