Taylor Harwood-Bellis is hoping to make his England debut tonight in the Uefa Nations League clash against Republic of Ireland – having turned to former Irish captain and future father-in-law Roy Keane for advice.
The Southampton defender recently got engaged to Keane’s daughter Leah.
The former Manchester City star played a key role in Saints’ promotion to the Premier League last season and has been almost ever-present in the side this term, earning his first international call-up from interim boss Lee Carsley last week.
Harwood-Bellis was an unused substitute as England eased to a 3-0 win over Greece in Athens on Thursday night but will be hopeful of starting or coming off the bench against Ireland tonight at Wembley.
‘It’s something that is good, yes, and I take a lot of advice,’ Harwood-Bellis said last week.
‘My family will want to be there [at Wembley against Ireland] to see if I feature or even just be involved, which is massive for me and my family.’
Speaking ahead of last week’s Greece match, Harwood-Bellis insisted there hadn’t been any talks about the Ireland match with his future father-in-law, with Keane , who represented his country 67 times between 1991 and 2005.
‘No, everything is focused on Greece at the minute. It’s a big game after the result at home. Obviously, we want to go over there and get a result. It will be a good atmosphere and a full house. We are looking forward to it and take the challenge on.’
Keane has five children with his wife Theresa – four daughters in Shannon, Caragh, Leah and Alanna and his son Aidan.
Keane’s no-nonsense approach typified his playing days and his career in the studio, often one of football’s most scathing pundits.
During an appearance on the Tommy Tiernan Show last year, the former midfielder was asked about the hardest part of being a father with comedian Tierney comparing him to ‘Clint Eastwood in the kitchen’.
‘No, they’re okay,’ Keane said. ‘Listen, when they get a bit older, I suppose boyfriends and that type of carry on, yeah that can be (shrugs).’
Tiernan joked: ‘I’d say it’d be fairly intimidating meeting you now in all fairness. Clint Eastwood in the kitchen.’
Keane replied: ‘You’d be very surprised. Surely that’s the same for everybody.’