Allardyce rejects 'bizarre' Keane claim

Keane, the new Ipswich manager, questioned whether Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes should be regarded as "good managers" or successful because they have yet to win a trophy - but Allardyce said Keane himself had a long way to go to be seen alongside either of his former United team-mates.

Allardyce, whose Blackburn team come up against Bruce's Wigan side on Sunday, told PA Sport: "I find that statement to be quite bizarre to be perfectly honest."

He added: "What Sparky and Brucey have done with the resources they have had shows they are both top managers and very, very capable managers.

"I think that Roy's a long distance away from a Steve Bruce and a Mark Hughes by his lack of experience in the job. So I find that quite a bizarre statement and I wouldn't agree with that at all."

Hughes meanwhile has reminded Keane he is not the only one with a fierce hunger to succeed as a manager.

And he feels Thursday's observations were just an example of his former team mate shooting from the hip without necessarily giving a great deal of thought to the substance of his words.

"Roy is just making a statement," smiled Hughes. "The media are very glad he is back on the scene because he is good value.

"I don't think many managers who get appointed to a mid-table Championship team could make the impact Roy has.

"It is a compliment to him and the personality he has. He has taken on a big task there, just as I have here. It is about driving our clubs forward."