Roy Keane - driven by winning.

By David Anderson, PA Sport

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Roy Keane could well have coined the saying 'first is everything, second is nothing'.

For Keane football is all about winning.

He has no time for what might have been or hard-luck stories and for him the game is black or white.

This attitude was evident after the Republic of Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier away to Holland back in September 2000.

As all of Keane's team-mates celebrated a fine 2-2 draw against the highly-fancied Dutch at the final whistle, he trudged off the pitch with a face like thunder.

Keane was not interested in the point gained and he was angry that the Irish had allowed Holland to score two late goals to snatch a draw.

It is this fierce competitive spirit that has been the driving force behind the Republic's marvellous achievement in qualifying for the World Cup finals.

Keane does not know where this competitive streak comes from, but it is as strong now as when he first started playing.

"I don't know, maybe it's the fact that I'm Irish, or from my dad or brothers, I don't really know," he said.

"When I was young I admired the grit and determination of Bryan Robson.

"It means a lot to me, playing but it's all about winning.

"Even when I was at Nottingham Forest, if I wasn't as determined in every match maybe I'd feel I was getting complacent.

"Perhaps I need that in my game, need to keep on the edge to keep on winning. I've no time for losers or second place."

This determination to win has repeatedly landed Keane in trouble and he has been sent off eight times during his nine-year career with Manchester United.

Ryan Giggs has joked that if there were a referee for the training-ground matches, Keane would be sent off every day.

Like a volcano, nobody can predict the next eruption and the only certainty is that Keane will blow his top sometime.

Although Keane's red cards have added to his hero status among United fans, particularly his assault on Manchester City's Alfie Haaland, he is not proud of his disciplinary record.

"Normally when I've been sent off, it's been deserved and I don't expect the crowd to applaud my indiscipline," he said.

"But it's always nice when the fans do sing your name whether you might think they're right or wrong."

Although Keane still struggles to control his temper on the pitch, he claims he has mellowed off it.

He has left behind the boozy behaviour and brushes with authority which blighted his early years, and has settled down with his wife and young family.

Keane claims he is even relaxed about losing - although only when playing cards or snooker.

"I've definitely relaxed over the last few years without a doubt," he said.

"People have this idea 'he doesn't like to lose at cards' or 'if he plays his kids he has to win' all this crap.

"Obviously I want to win every single game of football I play, but I'd like to think most players are not the same.

"Away from football, playing cards or snooker or whatever. I'm very relaxed if I lose.

"People only ever see the serious side of me and I do have a sense of humour.

"Away from football, I'm like most people - I like to have a laugh and a joke."

Keane played for the Republic when they last reached the World Cup finals at USA '94.

He thoroughly enjoyed that rollercoaster ride under Jack Charlton and he is looking forward to this summer's finals in Japan and Korea.

Keane is very much the star of the Republic side, but the Irish skipper is irked when he is singled out for praise at the exclusion of his team-mates.

Keane claims every single player in Mick McCarthy's squad have played their part in qualifying.

"The Irish players deserve a lot of credit and I don't think it's fair if people single me out or Robbie Keane as the only so-called players blah, blah, blah," he said.

"We've proved in the last few campaigns, but especially this one, with our results that we've got a very good team, and squad for that matter.

"You don't get success with just a few good players.

"It's been a great campaign. People wrote us off at the start, but the players have gelled together.

"There have been some great results home and away, especially against Holland and Portugal, and it's great for the country."

And with Keane in such determined mood who's to say the Republic cannot pull off some more great results this summer?