Legendary football hardman Vinnie Jones once revealed the names of three former players he believed were tougher than Roy Keane. The former Manchester United captain is often viewed as one of the most intimidating individuals to ever step foot on a pitch, especially when he saw red, as he was often prone to doing.
Jones also gained such a reputation as the leader of the infamous Wimbledon 'Crazy Gang,' and his battles against the Irishman were usually hotly contested. However, the ex-Welsh international didn't even rank Keane among the hardest players he came up against during his career.
Jones Names Three Players Harder Than Keane
Recalling some of his encounters with Keane in 2020, as per PlanetFootball, Jones revealed how he never felt that the iconic Man United midfielder was able to bully him on the football pitch before reeling off names that he felt were even harder than him.
"If you’re talking hard nuts, give me ‘Big Bad Billy’ Whitehurst over Roy Keane any day. On and off the pitch, Billy was different class.
"To be honest Roy didn’t make a lot of noise when I played him – I don’t really remember a tackle. A fantastic footballer, yes, and a man I like and respect, but I’d have him well below Billy in the pecking order, and below Steve McMahon and Bryan Robson too."
Known for his uncompromising, aggressive style, Billy Whitehurst was a feared striker in English football during the 1980s and early 1990s for the likes of Hull City and Newcastle. Renowned for physical battles, fearless tackles, and intimidating presence, he often unsettled defenders.
Meanwhile, Steve McMahon epitomised the hard-tackling midfielder of the 1980s and early 1990s. Fiercely competitive, combative, and never shy of confrontation. His willingness to mix it up made him a key figure for Liverpool and also helped earn him 17 caps for England.
Finally, Captain Marvel Bryan Robson was celebrated for his stamina and leadership in the middle of the park. He embodied the archetypal tough English footballer. Renowned for battling through injuries, he commanded respect for both skill and sheer physical courage throughout his career, most notably with Manchester United.