Sign up NOW for our daily Villa newsletter direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Roy Keane has taken a swipe at the father of Jack Grealish as the Villa youngster’s international future still remains up in the air.

The 19-year-old is yet to pledge his senior allegiance to either Ireland or England and Keane reckons dad, Kevin, is holding up matters.

When asked by reporters if there has been any movement on Grealish’s future, Villa’s assistant manager, who is also the Republic of Ireland No.2 said:

“I don’t ask Jack anymore.

“Sometimes it’s respect, you don’t want to pester people but, unfortunately, a lot would be coming from Jack’s dad.

“Knowing his dad, we could be waiting a bloody long while.”

Both Keane and Martin O’Neill have been up front on the situation in the past by saying that they want Grealish to play for Ireland - the country he has represented at youth and U21 level.

Look: Villa winger Jack Grealish

O’Neill insisted he would not force the issue, though, and Keane now admits he has stopped questioning the teenager given the time it is taking for a decision to be made.

Having worked closely with Grealish at Villa, the Manchester United legend recognises his talent but also insists he has a long way to go in the game and points out that he has achieved nothing yet.

After all the winger has yet to make a Premier League start and is still learning his trade in what is his breakthrough season.

Since Grealish penned a new four-year deal at Villa last month he has not featured for the first team as boss Paul Lambert continues to use him sparingly.

The issue of his international future still regularly crops up though, and will continue to be a talking point until there’s a resolution.