Roy Keane launches scathing attack on England regular after Greece defeat

Jordan Pickford's erratic display in England's 2-1 defeat to Greece was slammed by Roy Keane, who has been a long-time critic of the Everton goalkeeper's ability

Roy Keane delivered a scathing assessment of Jordan Pickford's display in England's 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley. Despite Jude Bellingham netting a late goal that seemed to snatch an unlikely draw for the Three Lions in their Nations League encounter, Vangelis Pavlidis' second strike of the night ensured a shock win for the visitors.

The English defence looked shaky, with two offsides before the break offering some respite, alongside Levi Colwill's impressive goalline clearance and an offside decision against Konstantinos Mavropanos providing assistance to Pickford, who had a notably troubled first half. Speaking on ITV at half-time, Manchester United icon Keane was brutally frank about the England shot-stopper.

He lambasted Pickford for a moment where he lost possession far from his net: "It sends a message about concentration levels, and that spreads throughout the team. Again there's a lack of urgency."

Keane also voiced astonishment at Pickford's lapse: "What's he doing? ! Do it quickly. Brilliant defending, very unlucky by Greece but a lovely message for defenders - never give it up. He chased it and did brilliant. But not a good message from Pickford to send."

Adding to the critique, fellow pundit Ian Wright highlighted Pickford's unsteady form: "Here again, he looks all over the place. He gets caught in no man's land. It's very jittery, Pickford," he commented, as reported by the Mirror, reports Birmingham Live.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane did not mince words when criticising Everton's Jordan Pickford, pinpointing a persistent issue in the goalkeeper's play, stating: "That will always be there with Pickford. He's not going to change now."

Keane has a history of critiquing Pickford, and after an unimpressive Everton match, he laid into the keeper during his Sky Sports analysis, remarking: "Pickford for the goal... my goodness. He looks so small in there. There is no spring, he's not anticipating. Micah (Richards) said before the game he's a top keeper. He's not."

Keane further expressed a biting view following a draw between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park regarding Pickford's reaction to a Fernandes shot, saying: "When I hear that, when people say the ball is moving, of course the ball is going to move when someone kicks it."

Not known for holding back, Keane boldly concluded: "The bottom line with Pickford, I'm not joking. I don't need to see your stats, I know he's [Pickford] not a good goalkeeper. We said it before the game, he is not up to it."

In discussing Everton's development, Keane unequivocally dismissed any defence for Pickford, adding: "We spoke before the game about Everton making progress as a football club, I don't care, he is not a good goalkeeper."