Former Arsenal star David Hillier has claimed playing against Roy Keane was a “dream” because he “wasn’t a smart player”.
The Irishman was a star at Nottingham Forest before becoming a Manchester United legend, winning 17 trophies including seven Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He had a reputation as one of the fiercest midfielders in English football, a no-nonsense tackler at the heart of the United squad.
Hillier, who played for Arsenal between 1988 and 1996, claimed he had the ability to handle Keane comfortably.
Speaking on the Under the tick podcast, Hillier said, “I’ve had a few. I had a match against Roy Keane at [Nottingham] Forest. We played them in the cup. Holy shit, I camped all over him, mate. He was my dream player to play against because he, Carlton Palmer, was perfect for me.
“Used to long, long, single runs, not smart players, easy to knock out. Roy Keane was not a smart player when he was racing. He was just a straight third man, that’s all it was.
“It was a standard formation. In front, back to midfield. The other midfielder goes, just follow his run. I had the ability to take the ball off them and I could play a pass to be able to in get out, just play a pass.
When asked if he should be as fit as Keane, Hillier added: “Oh, I was easily as fit as Roy Keane, easily. I was fitter than Roy Keane.
“I was actually in such good shape that when he got stuck in a nightclub when we were out that night and he didn’t come in because he was wearing sneakers, I ran back to the hotel, bought her a pair of shoes and came back.
“I was in good shape. I’ve run enough yet. And he owes me a pair of Gucci loafers if he listens. It was how fit I was. But I could, I had good distance and I had good pace over that distance and I used to knock them out.