Houghton played at the World Cup for the Republic
By Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport Online
Former Republic of Ireland international Ray Houghton has defended Roy Keane's decision to criticise the team's World Cup preparations.
Roy Keane sent home from World Cup
Keane has been sent home following comments he made about the state of the team's facilities.
If the facilities are not up to scratch Roy has a right to complain about them. He was standing up for the whole side
Ray Houghton
But Houghton - who scored the Republic's winner against Italy in the 1992 World Cup - said that Keane was within his rights as the team's captain to demand the best for his team-mates.
"Roy was standing up for the whole side," Houghton told BBC Sport Online.
"He doesn't need money - it had nothing to do with that. This was about the lads and their preparations for the World Cup.
"If the facilities - the pitch, buildings, equipment - are not up to scratch, he has a right to complain about them.
Roy Keane criticises the facilities
"If someone in radio has a dodgy microphone and cannot get their levels right they would complain - and it is the same for footballers.
"What I would say is that he probably went a little bit overboard in saying he wanted to leave."
Houghton - who won more than 70 caps for the Republic between 1986 and 1997 - said that the facilities provided by the Football Association of Ireland were modest during his career.
Roy is irreplaceable - but the Republic have won without him before and will have to do it again
Ray Houghton
"The quality of the facilities during my career did bother me in some respects.
"We would not necessarily go by the cheapest method but, if you like, the easiest way.
"We should have put our foot down when we had the chance. We were a successful side and could have done it but we missed the opportunity."
"Roy has probably been on the phone to his Manchester United team-mates who play for England, listening to them saying where they are staying and how well they are being treated."
Houghton is also quick to recognise that Keane's absence is a massive blow for the team's chances of qualifying for the second phase.
Photo Gallery: Roy Keane's international career in pictures
"He is irreplaceable - but the Republic have won without him before and will have to do it again.
"He must be very frustrated and there must be something we don't know about for him to quit just before a World Cup.
"I was surprised but he must have been very frustrated and in an untenable position."
A másik oldal:
McCarthy said sending Keane home was a relief
McCarthy backed: Watch reaction
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has launched a bitter attack against Roy Keane after sending his captain home from the World Cup.
Reports on Thursday evening suggested that Manchester United were set to charter a private jet to Saipan to bring Keane back home to England.
Explaining his actions, McCarthy branded Keane a "disruptive influence" and said the midfielder showed "an utter disregard and disrespect" for him.
The Football Association of Ireland has fully backed the decision to send Keane home, after the Manchester United star publicly complained about training facilities on the Pacific island of Saipan.
Keane sent home
McCarthy said he called a team meeting on Thursday to clear the air, but that it had turned into a "slanging match".
The FAI has made every effort to provide the best facilities for Mick McCarthy and his squad
Football Association of Ireland
"I asked anybody to air any grievances among the players or staff," he revealed.
"I cannot and will not tolerate being spoken to with that level of abuse being thrown at me so I sent him home."
In a news conference held later on Thursday in Dublin, the FAI backed McCarthy's decision and defended the facilities in Saipan.
"We view the events with great regret but the manager is fully supported by the association," said FAI treasurer John Delaney.
"The wellbeing of the squad is our interest and now we must put this unfortunate affair behind us and get on with the job as best we can.
"We believe the Association provided the best facilities."
FAI statement in full
McCarthy added he had become increasingly irritated at having to field press inquiries about comments made by Keane, who had maintained his "sanity is more important" than staying with the squad.
"There has been an uneasy feeling around the place for a few days," he said.
"I was asked about remarks he made in a newspaper article and I don't want to be doing that throughout the whole World Cup because doing tit-for-tat in the media is not my way.
"We all know his ability but when he makes a public and open show of his opinions and makes such public criticisms everybody starts talking about it.
"He is one of the best players in the world but he is a disruptive influence."
Houghton defends Keane
Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton backed McCarthy's stance, adding that Keane's behaviour would incur the anger of the fans.
"Roy's made a mistake and has got to live with the consequences. He's got to face the anger of the fans, " he said.
"I have to back Mick in that situation. I don't understand why Roy has done this.
"Mick will have his reasons for what has happened and you can't have players dictating what happens just days before the tournament starts."
No complaints
McCarthy, who was flanked at the news conference by new captain Steve Staunton along with Alan Kelly and Niall Quinn, added that no-one else in the squad had complained about the conditions.
How Keane landed himself in hot water
"You don't see too many complaints from anyone else here. But sometimes Roy sees the world through his eyes only," he said.
"I did it with the best interests of the team at heart when I said he should go home.
"This is a weight off my mind. I came here to enjoy the World Cup and I was stopping enjoying it. But from tomorrow I am going to start enjoying it again.
"This is a huge decision but I am happy to go to the World Cup one man down rather than with a man who shows utter disregard and disrespect for me."
Irish national broadcaster RTE reported on Thursday evening that Manchester United were set to charter a private jet to Saipan to transport Keane back to England.
