Former captain Roy Keane has backed Martin O'Neill to become the new manager of Republic of Ireland.

Keane has also been linked with the position, but after dismissing his own interest, the former Manchester United midfielder has insisted that O'Neill would be a "very, very good choice".

The 42-year-old told the Irish Independent: "I have not thought about it too much. I have more important things to be worried about.

"A lot of managers have been linked with it. A lot of good managers. I don't know about the favourites. I know a little bit about Martin O'Neill and I think that Martin would be a very, very good choice."

Giovanni Trapattoni left his position as manager by mutual consent earlier this month.