ROY KEANE REFUSES TO APOLOGISE TO ANDY ROBERTSON — ‘BIG BABY’ JIBE FINALLY REVISITED THREE YEARS LATER
Three years after Roy Keane branded Andy Robertson a “big baby” live on Sky Sports, the former Manchester United captain finally found himself sitting across from the Liverpool defender — and Robertson had clearly remembered every word.
The infamous clash dates back to April 2023, when Robertson confronted assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Robertson claimed the official had elbowed him in the throat as the players headed off at half-time, leaving the Scotland international furious.
Keane, however, had little sympathy.
At the time, he questioned whether Robertson had grabbed the linesman first before delivering his now-famous verdict.
“He should be more worried about his defending,” Keane said. “I’ve watched him a number of times. He’s a big baby. That’s what he is.”
More than three years later, the pair revisited the moment on The Overlap, with Robertson joining Keane, Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Jill Scott.
And Keane made one thing very clear: there would be no apology.
“Players have to remember, and this is not an apology,” Keane said, explaining that long days in the studio can leave pundits tired and irritated before going on air.
Robertson immediately found his opening.
“The first two babies were alright, the third was one too far,” he joked, referring to Keane’s original criticism.
Keane laughed off the exchange, blaming the traffic and the pressure to say something while everyone in the studio was waiting for his verdict.
But Robertson had not finished.
Turning to Carragher, who had laughed at Keane during the original incident, he added: “I wasn’t happy with you [Carragher] laughing either by the way.”
The exchange brought a much lighter ending to a moment that had caused plenty of controversy at the time.
Hatzidakis ultimately escaped sanction from PGMOL, although he was not assigned to another Liverpool fixture until January 2025.
Robertson has since moved on from Anfield after nine seasons, joining Tottenham as a free agent this summer.
His new chapter in north London, however, has begun awkwardly, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side still searching for their first Premier League victory after five matches.
