Jonathan Walters hits back at Roy Keane! Ex-Ireland star says he 'feels sorry' for Man Utd legend following astonishing rant where he mercilessly criticised ex-Ipswich winger

In 2019 Keane criticised Walters during a live recording of the Off The Ball podcast, alleging that the former Ipswich, Stoke and Republic of Ireland attacker used personal issues as an excuse to play poorly for him and at one point asked not to play for his country. Walters has now hit back on Twitter and says he "feels sorry" for his former manager.

On January 5, Walters Tweeted: "To give context to the Off The Ball clip, this was on the back of an emotional interview I did on The Late Late show with Ryan Tubridy when I spoke of some personal issues. I discussed my brother who had recently passed and other family issues which I won’t go into right now but were just as poignant.

"I am an individual who stands up for what I believe is right, but there are others who struggle when people don't capitulate to them. The issue for those who make things up is ensuring there's no evidence to the contrary, and in this case, there is.

"Make no mistake, when Roy crossed the line at Ipswich, I put him firmly back in his place and I was fully justified with my response. Many years later when he regurgitated his thoughts whilst we were on International duty with Ireland, history repeated itself."

In the podcast clip, Keane jokes about the lack of silverware that Walters won during his 18-year playing career.

In response, Walters tweeted: "When it comes to measuring a successful life based on awards and medals. I don’t require material possessions to demonstrate what I’ve achieved in life. I feel sorry for those who judge their worth and believe that they are superior to everyone else based on these things. I’ve been able to live a dream and have a career at the very pinnacle of football, doing what 99.99% of the population will never get the chance to do. I have got a beautiful wife and amazing children who are my greatest achievement bar none."

Keane managed Walters both at Ipswich and the Republic of Ireland when he was assistant coach to Martin O'Neil. In the same Off The Ball clip, Keane was critical of other Irish players including Harry Arter and Stephen Ward, but he was especially harsh to Walters.

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Walters retired from playing in 2018. In his recent tweet, he hinted that he could one day release a book detailing his career. He said that details of his fallings out with Keane would form a "small chapter in an extensive book." However, he clarified that he currently has no plan to write a book.