In the studio Keane was to act as a counterweight to English giddiness - or “to restore some calm,” as Mark Pougatch put it rumly. But Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Lee Dixon were not getting carried away. Wright even opted for his tamest shirt of the campaign, a marine blue number with sharks or dolphins. Dolphins are playful and intelligent. Perhaps some cute subliminal messaging there from Wrighty.
The English trio tentatively predicted a win for the Three Lions. Keane did not commit to tackling that view. “If they show enough courage, they’ll win the game but they’ve been in this position before and messed things up so let’s see,” he advised.
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At half-time the lads in the studio were concerned England were not further in front. Keane said sloppiness had crept into their play. “If England don’t finish this off, they’ll never forgive themselves,” he warned.
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So England were out. But, in a sense, Keane’s tournament was just beginning. This was his time to shine. Wright felt he had been waiting for it all along. “You weren’t happy for us being happy,” he blurted. “I didn’t mind you being happy but you were getting carried away,” retorted Keane.
“You were planning the final, where the parades were, you need a reality check – you’re a grown man!” To which Wright replied by mocking his accent.