Roy Keane branded former Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson a "big baby" following a heated confrontation with an assistant referee in 2023, and the pair have now revisited the incident on Stick to Football
Andy Robertson appeared on Stick to Football
Andy Robertson appeared on Stick to Football(Image: Disney+)
Roy Keane awkwardly declined to say sorry to Andy Robertson after calling the former Liverpool left-back a "big baby" following a clash with an assistant referee three years ago.
In April 2023, Robertson claimed he had been elbowed by linesman Constantine Hatzidakis during a 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal. The Scotland international was incensed after Hatzidakis seemed to strike out at him while heading off the pitch at half-time.
Keane displayed little sympathy and suggested Robertson should focus on his defending instead. When asked about the incident, Keane said: "But Robertson, do you know what, does he grab the linesman first? I'm not sure, but he's complaining.
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"He should be more worried about his defending. Do you know what it is, that Robertson? I've watched him a number of times. He's a big baby. That's what he is. Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first."
Three years on, Robertson and K eane have revisited the incident, with the former Liverpool defender appearing on the most recent episode of 'Stick to Football' — now available on Disney+ — alongside Keane, Ian Wright, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, and Jill Scott.
The conversation started when Neville asked as Keane squirmed in his seat: "We're just trying to recollect — he doesn't remember why he called you a baby?"
Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson felt that he had been elbowed by the linesman(Image: Getty Images)
Robertson cheekily replied: "Glad we've started with this!"
As everyone laughed, Robertson added: "What I would say is it gave my friends up the road (in Scotland) a lot of ammunition."
Keane then begged to "move on" as Neville kept asking about the incident before the former Manchester United right-back said: "I thought it was wrong, though, you know, to be fair, at the time. I was doing the commentary in the game. The linesman hit him."
Keane finally opened up on the incident, but he refused to apologize. He said: "Players have to remember sometimes, and this is not an apology..."
The others then started laughing before Keane explained: "We're in the studio, we can have long days, can't we? You can have long days, and it can be a bit flat. Sometimes, a player might do something, and you're like... just agitated by having a long day."
Robertson then tried to break the ice by laughing: "The first two babies were alright, the third one..."
Ultimately, Hatzidakis faced no disciplinary action from the PGMOL over the incident, though he was not appointed to oversee another Liverpool match until January 2025.
Robertson himself departed Anfield this summer after nine years at the club, subsequently signing for Tottenham on a free transfer.
However, his transition to London has proved something of a baptism of fire, with Roberto De Zerbi's players failing to register a single win from their opening five Premier League outings this season.