Keogh has history with the new Reds boss and ahead of his debut, the Rams skipper spills the beans on what he told him.
Derby County captain Richard Keogh has spoken about what he thinks of Martin O’Neill becoming manager of Nottingham Forest.
The 66-year-old, who played 371 games and won the European Cup as a Forest player, ended his five-year spell as Republic of Ireland boss last November and has taken over a Reds side ninth in the Championship, four points outside the playoff places.
The Forest job is the Northern Irishman’s first return to club management since his spell with Sunderland earlier this decade, which saw him guide the Black Cats away from relegation from the Premier League in his first season.
Keogh knows O’Neill well from his time in the ROI setup, the two having worked together, and the Rams skipper said he owed his former manager a lot for having made him national captain four times as well as giving him the chance to play at Euro 2016.
However, given the two are now on fiercely opposing camps, Keogh’s nine-word message to O’Neill upon finding out he had got the job went along the lines of wishing him good luck – for the most part.
“He’s a great guy and I’m pleased he’s back in football – even though it’s obviously against us,” Keogh told the Derby Telegraph. “I spoke to him and said: ‘Good luck… but obviously not when you play us!’
“I know what he’s like. He’s a winner. It’s going to be good to see him when we play them but hopefully I can get one over on him then. It’s quite clear the bond he’s got with that club and I hope it goes alright for him – but not better than us!”
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