Harry Arter and Roy Keane have buried hatchet after they ‘spoke like men’ following Republic of Ireland spat
The Cardiff midfielder went on strike for his country in September after assistant boss Keane’s foul-mouthed rant at him and Jon Walters
HARRY ARTER and Roy Keane spoke “like men” to get over their Ireland bust-up.
The Cardiff midfielder went on strike for his country in September after assistant boss Keane’s foul-mouthed rant at him and Jon Walters.
Yet Arter returned this month after making up with Keano.
He revealed: “We spoke like men and it’s water under the bridge. I wasn’t happy with what happened.
“I pulled out as it was best for myself and, most importantly, the squad.
“The good thing is, it’s been sorted. It wasn’t an apology I was after.
“I can take having arguments with people — that’s part of life.
“But I don’t like that sort of confrontation and wasn’t sure what the situation was between me and Roy.”
The row became public when an audio clip of Ireland and Burnley full-back Stephen Ward talking candidly about what happened was leaked on to the internet.
Though Arter, 28, was upset that happened, he insists there are no hard feelings with Ward — who has since apologised.
Arter, on loan at Cardiff from Bournemouth, added: “Wardy is very professional and made a mistake, not on purpose. He got stitched up by someone.
“I know Wardy was really disappointed about that, for the camp and for those involved.
“But he’s a great lad and I’d say the camp is a happy one now.
“Everyone is trying to fix what we need to fix and that’s picking up more results.”
According to Ward, Keane took issue over Arter and Walters not training — while the pair insisted they could not play three days in a row.
Arter admitted he feared picking up an injury after not playing much last season.
He said: “I was probably used to a training regime at club level.
“I was worried I went into the summer with an injury. I felt the best thing was to step away from training that week.”
Arter admits he is struggling to deliver for the Republic, who are winless in their last four games under Martin O’Neill.
He added: “For whatever reason, I don’t feel I’ve been able to replicate my club form on the international stage as of yet.”
