Roy Keane stands by ‘big baby’ jibe at Andy Robertson

Roy Keane has refused to apologise to Andy Robertson after the former Manchester United captain revisited his criticism of the Tottenham player during an appearance with him on Stick to Football.

Keane called the Scotland full-back a “big baby” three years ago while discussing an incident involving Liverpool and Arsenal, when Robertson was playing for the Reds. The pair returned to the episode in a light-hearted exchange, but Keane continued to defend his original remark.

The incident took place after the first half of Liverpool’s match against Arsenal, when Robertson approached assistant referee Konstantin Hatzidakis. Robertson appeared to touch Hatzidakis’s elbow, before the official raised his arm and made contact with the player’s face with his elbow.

Robertson was later seen holding his chin and complained that the assistant referee had elbowed him in the throat. However, Keane showed little sympathy when analysing the incident in the studio.

The former Manchester United captain said Robertson was a “big baby”, arguing that the player had initially grabbed the assistant referee. Keane also told him to concentrate on defending and get on with the match.

When the subject was raised again years later in Robertson’s presence, Keane began by joking: “This is not an apology!”

He then explained the circumstances behind his original comment.

“Players have to remember that sometimes we are in the studio for hours and it can become a little quiet,” Keane said. “Sometimes a player does something and you get annoyed because it has been a long day.”

He added: “The other analysts were saying nothing. I was looking at them and saying, ‘You have to say something.’ That is why I added the word ‘baby’ at the end.”

Robertson responded in similarly sarcastic fashion: “I wasn’t expecting an apology! The first two times were acceptable, but the third was an exaggeration.”

Hatzidakis was temporarily removed from officiating matches while the incident was investigated. The case was later closed.