Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane is unimpressed with Newcastle’s party plans

NEWCASTLE United will be presented with the Championship trophy, when Ipswich Town visit this afternoon, but Roy Keane is not impressed.

In fact, the outspoken Town boss insists that the Magpies have nothing to celebrate, despite clinching promotion back to the Premier League, and winning the title.

Just as Keane turned his nose up at any promotion festivities, when he guided Sunderland back to the promised land in 2007, so the Irishman believes nearby Newcastle should keep a low profile.

“I don’t think they should be having a party. I don’t think they have anything to celebrate,” blasted Keane.

“I done it at Sunderland. They asked for an open-top bus, and I nearly threw up!

“Getting up for clubs like Newcastle, or Sunderland, with the type of crowds they get, is nothing to celebrate. I honestly think Newcastle shouldn’t be celebrating.

“I’ve got every respect for Chris Hughton (Newcastle manager), a very good man and a very good coach, and if anything there is a compliment in there. There’s nothing to be celebrated in getting promoted from the Championship.

“It’s the same for the West Broms. They go up and down every second year, and they know what it takes to compete at a decent level. They can party all they want, but they should be focused on next season,”

added Keane.

Town were humbled 4-0 by the Magpies at Portman Road last September.

That was one of the low points of the season, because after that heavy defeat, Keane’s men went on an unbeaten home run lasting 14 matches.

The north-east giants are red-hot favourites to chalk up a league double today, in what is their last home game of the campaign. They have not lost a league match at St James’ Park all season, and will break the 100-point barrier if they can beat Town.

It is also Town’s last away fixture, with just Sheffield United to play at Portman Road on Sunday week.

Keane is certainly not surprised with the manner in which Newcastle have stormed to the title.

He continued: “They’ve won the league comfortably. I said at the start of the season that they were certainties to go up.

“Newcastle have been the best team by far. They have the best players and the most experienced players. “They’ve got physically one of the biggest squads in the Championship, so they are worthy champions.

“But it’s another opportunity for my players to send a message to the supporters, and me, that they are comfortable in this arena. We didn’t do that at Forest the other week (3-0 defeat).

“These are the sort of games you should enjoy, if you’re a half-decent player, playing in front of 50,000 crowds,” concluded Keane.

Newcastle will be presented with the trophy after the game.