Jack Grealish hits back at Roy Keane’s criticism of him before match

Jack Grealish hits back at Roy Keane’s criticism of him before the FA Cup match with the Man City forward scoring at Peterborough on Tuesday.

Grealish silenced the pundit by netting his side’s second goal in their victory over their Championship opponents.

After the Posh gave a valiant effort to put pressure on City in the first half, Riyad Mahrez gave City the lead with a calm finish beyond the Peterborough goalkeeper on the 61st minute.

Grealish then doubled the advantage with a fine finish following a lovely ball over the top by Phil Foden to secure their place in the next round.

Before the match, Roy Keane was critical of Grealish’s mentality. He explained on ITV: “I think it’s crunch time for Man City over the next few months, this is where you will really test as a player, crunch games.

“Jack’s had a few injury problems, probably been criticised a little bit for his off-the-field stuff but I think what Jack has to do is grow up and get the trust of Pep [Guardiola]. He probably hasn’t got that yet, same with England, I don’t think Gareth [Southgate] trusts him that much yet, good opportunity for him.

“Whatever Jack’s doing off the field, it does take its toll when you’re an attacking player, it’s another opportunity for Jack. I do think it’s about time he grew up.”

At full-time, Keane was left singing the praises of Grealish. “He’s like a lot of players out there, he wants minutes under his belt,” the former United captain said.

“The biggest lift he’ll get will be scoring, he’s said about speaking to the manager but it’s the effect he has in the game, we saw that with that bit of quality. It was the highlight of the night, the run, the desire.

“Jack is a good link-up player, its quite easy to defend with bodies but having that desire, intelligence, when to do it, the key was when he made the run, the touch it set him up and that’ll do Jack the world of good. We saw that in the second half, brilliant run, the first-touch set him up for the goal.

“He’s talking there and it is the end product he needs to improve, need more goals and assists from him, this was the highlight of the game the goal itself. The goal, the brilliant pass, the touch sets him up, nice and simple. We’ve seen Phil Foden do this before.”

Jack Grealish praised Phil Foden’s contribution to his composed second-half finish during the 2-0 FA Cup victory over Peterborough United.

“It was unbelievable,” he reflected on the pass through to him.

“It’s funny because before the game I was on the coach and I sit next to him and we were on Twitter and we saw a video of Messi, and he came up to me after the goal and said it’s just like we were watching before the game.

“Just like Messi! Me and Phil have that link up.

“We had most of the chances. We had a lot of the ball in the first half and we’ve come up against that a lot, teams sitting deep against us.

“We eventually broke down Everton and we’ve done that again tonight.”

Grealish’s goal took his tally to four in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium and he admitted he is hungry to get his name on the scoresheet more often.

“I expect more, I want to get a lot more,” he said.

“I’ve been speaking with the manager and he’s been helping me. I want to get goals and assists but he said it’s not all about that.

“He’s trusted me in a lot of big games which I feel I’ve done alright in. Hopefully that’ll come now in the big part of the season.

“It’s been quite emotional,” revealed Grealish on teammate Zinchenko.

“He’s such a big character in the squad. If you ask me he is so underrated as a player.

“We’ve had to be there for him. It’s a difficult time for him and everyone associated with Ukraine. Fair play to him. I think he did brilliant.”

Social media users reacted as Jack Grealish hits back at Roy Keane’s criticism of him before Tuesday night’s match…

@Ryan_Jackson15: 😂😂 Roy Keane saying Jack Grealish needs to grow up

Attil: Well said by keano. Grealish is the biggest flop in football history. 100mil. Wow. What a joke He’s a one trick pony. Scared of a tackle

RonaldoUK: Borderline luxury player in a team full of work ethic, no matter how big the other players are.

PienMash: Think Girlish has one more season at City, before Guardiola gets fed with his antics.

Scmitters: Peterborough. Haha not exactly a big club. Diving again prolly.

mike: Seems to be far more external concern about Grealish than from within the club and fanbase… but I think we can all judge why that is! Let’s be honest… not as if he is dragging the team down is it? He was pretty much a mainstay in the team that went clear at the top before new year… people obsessed with individual stats, he has never been prolific. But in the same way Foden, Bernardo, Gundogan, Mahrez dont regularly top the charts (purple patches aside). he is an outstanding technical player, that Pep will mould. Seen it countless times, players come in, look tidy and contribute, then after a season when Peps style clicks, they all of a sudden explode into action. So, thanks everybody for your concern, Jack will be fine

yespy: How many other teams would relish Grealish in their side, I’ll tell you, all of them so, cut out the cute talk.

Iron horse: Don’t blame Jack, If city over paid its their fault.

macca123us: He’s a good player but he’s never been consistent or a great goal scorer. They do highlights reels of his goals at Villa but there wasn’t that many goals overall

AdaBsiz: Keane (ex-Ringrag United) has to say that…. he never forgave Manchester City for winning so many PL and other championships without the limelight of Fergie!!! Blue Skies…