FOOTBALL hardman Roy Keane has shown off his softer side with a wholesome Instagram post.
Keane celebrated his 54th birthday on Sunday by posting a series of heartwarming photos and videos of himself soaking in some sun alongside his family.
The former midfielder, who was a no-nonsense general during his playing days with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, started out his post by showing himself relaxing in a pool.
Keane was seen sunbathing on an inflatable while wearing glasses.
He captioned the post: “Happy Birthday to me. All the gifts I need.”
And Keane’s next pictures and videos showed exactly what those presents were, as Keane showed he is a big softie at heart with his grandchildren.
The Irishman was seen holding his infant grandson while in a holiday home, with a striking bronze tan also adorning his skin.
He then shared pics of him playing alongside another of his grandchildren with the sand at the beach.
The next pic showed him in the pool with two of them, with Keane all smiles as he hogged an inflatable dragon.
One of his grandkids was filmed jumping in the pool next, with Keane delighting as he then picked him up and threw him up in the air.
The final image of Keane’s birthday post showed him pushing a buggy with one of his grandkids in it.
Birthday wishes from scores of his 2.3 million followers and fans came flooding in.
The Overlap account said: “Happy Birthday Roy!”
A fan said: “Have a great one, sir. You’re nothing but a breath of fresh air.”
A second fan added: “Imagine your grandad being Roy Keane man.”
Boxing coach David Coldwell said: “The main man.
Happy Birthday!”
A fourth fan joked: “Looking after the grandkids? That’s his job.”
A fifth said: “Birthdays? Do me a favour.”
Keane has revealed he has three grandchildren, but is usually notoriously protective of his private life.
The latest member of the Keane family was welcomed in April, with Keane introducing him to the public via a beaming Instagram post.
His daughter, Leah, is engaged to one-cap England and Southampton star Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
However, the 23-year-old has likely heeded Keane’s advice and kept shtum on talking about their private lives too much.
Last month, the former Republic of Ireland international was seen signing an autograph for a kid while he attended a game for his hometown team of Cork City.
Keane will doubtless have plenty of chances to show off his famous barbed tongue this season when he returns to the studio as a pundit for Sky Sports.
His old club, United, always seem to be in the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent years, and many would be shocked if that did not continue despite talk, once again, of the club heading in a new direction.
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