Whether you love him or hate him, it's hard to argue Roy Keane's place in the pantheon of Irish footballing greats.

The current Irish assistant manager turned 44 today with memories of his performance for Ireland and his clubs still in the memory of most fans.

Roy Keane celebrates with Alan McLoughlin after Ireland qualified for the 1994 World Cup after their qualifier against Northern Ireland in Windsor Park. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO

Roy Keane holds off Frank de Boer of Holland in the 1994 World Cup. It was to be Keane's only appearance at a major international tournament. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO

Roy Keane lines up for the national anthem before Ireland's 1998 World Cup qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Meehan

One of Keane's most famous moments in an Ireland jersey was his tackle on Marc Overmars in the 2002 World Cup qualifier against The Netherlands in Dublin. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Roy Keane failed to play in the 2002 World Cup after an incident with manager Mick McCarthy in Saipan and was sent home before the tournament began. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Andrew Paton

Roy Keane of Ireland gets tackled by Zinedine Zidane of France in a 2006 World Cup qualifier during his final campaign with Ireland. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Honan