Gareth Bale’s agent dismisses Roy Keane’s criticism of the player

Posted Thursday, May 07, 2015 by theguardian.com

Gareth Bale’s agent has hit back at Roy Keane after the television pundit criticised the winger’s performance in Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Juventus.

Match statistics showed that Bale, who was signed by the Spanish giants for £85.3m in 2013, had the fewest touches and made the fewest passes of any visiting player in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat in Turin.

The Welshman’s quiet display prompted the former Manchester United captain Keane to say Real Madrid “played with 10 men”.

But Bale’s representative, Jonathan Barnett, dismissed the criticism and told BBC Sport: “Why should we take any notice of irrelevant comments from people who don’t know what they are talking about and people who failed in management?

''Gareth only listens to relevant comments. He is at the biggest club in the world. He is one of the best players in the world. He is fine.”

Keane, who has managed Sunderland and Ipswich and is now assistant to Martin O’Neill in the Republic of Ireland set-up, told ITV: “Gareth Bale gave them absolutely nothing. He took the easy option every time.”