Like most people, John Giles was shocked when news of Roy Keane's appointment as Ireland assistant manager first emerged.

It seemed an unlikely link up given Keane's much-publicized differences of opinion with the FAI.

But Giles is not against the idea of Keane forming a management team with Martin O'Neill. Last night the former Leeds and Ireland great spoke to Off The Ball about the impending development:

"Circumstances have changed. Roy Keane has been out of the game for a couple of years. The main thing is that Martin O'Neill wanted him in as a No 2. I think Keane is very intelligent and when he looks back at the things that he did at Sunderland and Ipswich, like all intelligent people he will learn," said Giles.

"What is he going to contribute as a No 2? I don't know but O'Neill is the man that matters. He has some role in his mind that Keane can do." 

Giles believes being a No 2 means it is easier for Keane to be closer and "friendlier" to the players than he would be as a manager.

There have been suggestions that O'Neill relied on former assistant John Robertson to motivate players at previous clubs and that the ex-Celtic boss envisages a similar role for Keane.

Giles refutes this however, explaining that the influence of No 2s is often exaggerated. And he believes O'Neill has the tools to do well with Ireland, even if success is not a guarantee.

"Martin O'Neill has a great CV and he would certainly be my choice to manage the Irish team. I think he is a dedicated man who has done well at the clubs he has been at. That's all you can go on and I think it's a good appointment. I think Roy Keane can bring something to the table because of his attitude and because he was a great player. Keane has had a great winning mentality and he will demand that of the players in a softer way than he would look for if he was manager. But I think he will bring that positive attitude to the squad. It's up to Martin O'Neill to harness it."