Roy Keane joked about his future son-in-law Taylor Harwood-Bellis, following his goal against Ireland on his England debut.
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Roy Keane hilariously warns the Southampton defenderHarwood-Bellis set to marry Keane's daughter LeahEngland star scored on debut against IrelandFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Southampton centre-back Harwood Bellis came on in the second half of England's 5-0 victory over Ireland on Sunday night, and had a debut to remember, rounding off the scoring with a superb header in the 79th minute following a Jude Bellingham cross. Discussing the goal in the ITV studio afterwards, it was revealed that the defender is engaged to pundit Roy Keane's daughter Leah, and Keane in his typical gruff manner, jokingly warned Harwood-Bellis that the deal certainly isn't sealed with his daughter.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
A starting centre-back for Premier League strugglers Southampton, Harwood-Bellis has been relatively helpless as Southampton found themselves on the end of nine defeats in their first eleven league games of the season.
However, his determination and general ability across the board has not gone unnoticed by England interim coach Lee Carsley, and resulted in his first ever England call up for the international break.
Failing to take to the pitch in England's 3-0 win over Greece, the centre-back was finally given his Wembley moment with half an hour left against Ireland, with England already 3-0 up. West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen made it four with 15 minutes left, and just three minutes later, Harwood-Bellis netted what will likely be the most memorable goal of his life.
The goal hammered home a chastening result for Ireland, and Keane may have still been stinging from the score line, as his punchy one liner in the studio rode the line between funny and harsh perfectly.
Getty Images SportWHAT KEANE SAID
Speaking during the analysis of Harwood-Bellis' header, Keane said: "It's (the engagement) not done and dusted yet! Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you."
However, Keane softened after his initial statement, saying: "It's good for him to make his debut, and he's a bit of a goal threat. He's a nice kid and his family have done a great job."
WHAT NEXT FOR HARWOOD-BELLIS?
Following his first goal at a senior international level, Harwood-Bellis will be buoyed upon his return to Southampton, and he may need to find a creative way of maintaining his high spirits, as the Saints take on a merciless Liverpool side in their first game back from the international break next weekend.
With England playing their final game of the year on Sunday night, the players now have four months until the next set of fixtures to focus on their club's campaign.