Wigan Athletic star calls on Rooney, Berbatov and Chicharito insight

Having gone to school at Manchester United, with the likes of Rooney, Berbatov and Chicharito for guidance, Will Keane had the best possible footballing education.
Will KeaneWill Keane
Will Keane

And at the ripe old age of 27, he’s happy to step to the front of the class to pass on that knowledge to Wigan Athletic’s stars of tomorrow.

“I’d like to think there’s a role for me to do that,” he told Wigan Today.

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“There’s a lot of young lads that have stepped up this year, they’ve all done really well, and I’m sure they’re looking to us older lads, with more experience, to help them.

“Everything’s new when you’re coming into the team, and it’s up to the senior boys to take that responsibility, setting high standards for ourselves and demanding the same from them.

“I remember when I was a young lad at United, you’re always looking around you and looking to see what they’re doing.

“The senior players set the bar and it’s up to the young lads to take that on board and try to match that, and enjoy it.”

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It seems like only yesterday that Keane – along with brother Michael, the Everton and England defender – came through the ranks at Old Trafford, surrounded by legends of the game.

“When I was a young lad, there was Chicharito, Berbatov, Rooney, Danny Welbeck who was a little bit older than me,” Keane said.

“They were all in and around the first team, and you’re looking at how they train, how desperate they are to win, all the organising they were doing.

“It’s not just doing their job, but also trying to help others do their job.

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“And that’s something you take on board as you become a senior player, trying to help others to be the best they can be.”

Keane opened his account for Latics at the weekend in his fourth outing since joining until January, a second-half header that earned a deserved point against Plymouth.

Having enjoyed a brief loan spell at Wigan back in 2013-14, it’s been a seamless bedding-in process for the Stockport native.

“I feel I’ve settled in really well,” he added. “Obviously there’s plenty going on outside, off the field, but coming in it’s been a great atmosphere.

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“The manager and Leam (Richardson) have got everyone together, pulling in the same direction.

“It’s been nice for me to be able to come back up north and, while it’s a work in progress, it’s going well.

“I initially came in earlier in the summer, so I knew a few of the lads from that.

“You can see the quality and strength in the squad here, and I thought I could come here to hopefully play and add to that.

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"The main thing for me is to get as much game-time as I can and show what I can do.”

After being dogged by injuries for much of his career, Keane’s hoping last season’s tally of 29 appearances – the most he’s ever made in one campaign – suggests he’s turned a corner.

“I got some good game-time at Ipswich last year, and it’s about building on that for me now,” he said.

“I’ve had my injuries in the past that have held me back, but hopefully all that’s behind me now.

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"I’ve probably strung the best run of matches in terms of not getting injured, and it’s about playing as much as I can.”

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