'I put Roy in his place' - Jonathan Walters hits back at Roy Keane 'bluffer' comments

Former Republic of Ireland international Jonathan Walters has hit back at Roy Keane's comments from a public interview with Off The Ball in 2019.

Keane, who was Irish assistant manager between 2013 and 2018, claimed that his former player was a "bluffer" after Walters appeared on The Late Late Show to give an emotional interview with Ryan Tubridy.

The ex-Stoke City and Ipswich man was asked about Keane's comments while appearing on Talksport and went on to X to provide a statement on his side of the story.

“The truth will come out.” ✅

“I don’t think anyone’s ever got one over on him. That’s the only time it’s happened to him.”

Jonathan Walters opens up on his infamous falling out with Roy Keane. pic.twitter.com/rOFUw5SI3i

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 5, 2024

"This video of Roy resurfaces regularly and whilst on Talksport I was asked about it again, so let me address it once here on X," Walters posted on Friday.

"The next time I address it will be when it’s written down and it will form a part of a small chapter in an extensive book.

"To give context to the Off The Ball clip, this was on the back of an emotional interview I did on The Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy when I spoke of some personal issues. I discussed my brother who had recently passed and other family issues which I won’t go into right now but were just as poignant.

He continued: "I am an individual who stands up for what I believe is right, but there are others who struggle when people don't capitulate to them. The issue for those who make things up is ensuring there's no evidence to the contrary, and in this case, there is. Make no mistake, when Roy crossed the line at Ipswich, I put him firmly back in his place and I was fully justified with my response. Many years later when he regurgitated his thoughts whilst we were on international duty with Ireland, history repeated itself.

"When it comes to measuring a successful life based on awards and medals. I don’t require material possessions to demonstrate what I’ve achieved in life. I feel sorry for those who judge their worth and believe that they are superior to everyone else based on these things. I’ve been able to live a dream and have a career at the very pinnacle of football, doing what 99.99% of the population will never get the chance to do. I have a beautiful wife and amazing children who are my greatest achievements bar none.

"As to all the other things that have happened in my career that nobody knows about, I can guarantee no player has trodden the same path. If and when I share my story, I’ll have to revisit places that I don’t particularly want to go back to. Whilst this will shock most, I do believe it would be a valuable source of help to others."

Walters retired from international football in 2019 after appearing 54 times for the Boys in Green and scoring 14 goals.

This video of Roy resurfaces regularly and whilst on Talksport I was asked about it again, so let me address it once here on X. The next time I address it will be when it’s written down and it will form a part of a small chapter in an extensive book.

To give context to the Off… pic.twitter.com/8Lu11OOO7s

— Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) January 5, 2024