Roy Keane has lightheartedly declared that he will emigrate to Australia if England manages to lift the World Cup trophy this year. The ITV pundit, known for his candid remarks, confessed that he begins to feel anxious whenever the Three Lions progress to the latter stages of major tournaments.
Keane's Concerns Over England's Success
The 54-year-old former Manchester United captain has witnessed England finish as runners-up in the last two European Championships and achieve fourth place at the World Cup eight years ago. Despite this, he says he is prepared to pack his bags if they finally go all the way this year.
Speaking on the second episode of the Sky Bet World Cup mini-series, Road To America, alongside Micah Richards and Stuart Pearce, Keane said: "I don't want England winning it! But obviously when we're working over there, and you're ITV, you want them to do well. And you know they're gonna go through the knockout games, and when they're getting through, there's a bit of excitement. And that's when I start to get worried, when it's semis and finals. 'Please, stop now! Get them out now!'"
When Richards asked if he would be happy for England, Keane joked: "No, I'd be emigrating to Australia."
England's World Cup Prospects
Keane also shared his thoughts on England's opening fixture against Croatia, emphasizing its importance. "Strangely for England, though, their first game is their hardest one - isn't it? In their group, Croatia," Keane said. "Because some of the other teams could kind of build up to it. But England are straight in there with Croatia."
Pearce interjected: "If they knock that one over, the first group game, you're in charge of the group." Keane quickly countered: "Right, OK, chill out a little bit, yeah, because they'll want to top the group."
Keane will be keeping a close eye on the tournament, jetting out with ITV sometime this week as the World Cup kicks off on Thursday.
