Roy Keane: Roy Hodgson shouldn't have hired a sports psychologist for the England team

Roy Keane

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane is unimpressed with England’s idea to hire the services of sports psychologist Steve Peters to boost morale among the players according to the Mirror.

Keane insists that Peters should only play a bit part for England in Brazil and let manager Roy Hodgson be the one to rally the troops.

“The sports psychologist should be the manager,” said Keane.

“Brian Clough was the best sports psychologist for me and Alex Ferguson was good.

“I heard Peters speak at Wembley two years ago and we should be open-minded and not knock it.

“But don’t think, for one minute, that if it gets to penalties in an England game that the players on the pitch are going to look over and forget about Roy Hodgson and look where Steve Peters is and go, ‘The chimp is out’.”

Peters has worked with Liverpool FC, cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and snooker ace Ronnie O’Sullivan before stated that any athlete should manage his “inner chimp” the section of the brain which follows on emotions and gut instinct, makes instant judgements and thinks in black and white.

Liverpool and England skipper Steven Gerrard has praised the FA’s decision to hire Peters and is confident that he will be a success with the Three Lions.

Peters make it a point to speak to players individually regularly and has received acclaim for sorting out important issues which trouble players.

The psychologist has stated that he can magically make England better at penalties but can improve the squads frame of mind before they go into matches.

Keane added: “Roy Hodgson has enough ­experience.

“If it helps a younger player or helps a player out in Brazil, who is getting ­frustrated or is carrying a knock, that’s fine.

“But, for God’s sake, don’t be hanging your hat on him (Peters).”

England, who are in Group D, recently suffered a 2-1 defeat against Italy and are set to meet a Luis Suarez led Uruguay on Friday.