CHERRIES star Harry Arter has spoken of his admiration for Roy Keane and admitted: “If I could have half the career he had, I would look back with great pride.”

Arter worked under the Manchester United legend during his first spell on international duty with the Republic of Ireland last month.

The midfielder earned a call-up after starring for Cherries this season and was an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw with Poland in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Dublin on Sunday.

Arter, who trained under the watchful eye of boss Martin O’Neill’s assistant, said: “He was a top player and someone I always looked up to when I was young so it was quite surreal him telling me what to do in training.

“To people on the outside, he has this scary personality but he was just like a normal man. He just wanted to help the team and was always there for guidance. I really enjoyed working with him.

“He played for the best team in the world and achieved everything, bar winning international competitions. For me growing up, he was the sort of midfielder I admired and every Manchester United fan and young player looked up to him, especially midfielders. He had a great career and, hopefully, I can emulate it to some extent.”

Arter and his Republic team-mates enjoyed a night at the theatre in the build-up to the Poland game and watched I Keano, a stage play based on Keane’s controversial exit from the squad during the 2002 World Cup in Saipan.

The production was a comedy send-up of Keane’s shock departure after he had publicly criticised the country’s preparations under then-Republic manager Mick McCarthy.

Co-incidentally for Arter, he is set to line up for Cherries against McCarthy’s Ipswich today with Keane having also managed the club between 2009 and 2011.

“I don’t think Mick McCarthy will be going to watch it in a rush!” quipped Arter. “It was a good show and really funny. It was something for the lads to enjoy before a massive game.

“I didn’t make eye contact (with Keane) just in case there was a scene that maybe brought back a memory which annoyed him so I just kept my eyes firmly fixed on the stage!”

Previewing the trip to Portman Road, Arter added: “We know what their strengths are. They are a physical team and try to play a certain way, which they are good at, and you have to respect them because they have picked up some really good results this season and find themselves in a good position.

“There isn’t a certain way to play football, there is no right or wrong. Whatever game-plan you are given, if you execute it correctly, you can be effective so we need to make sure we try to kill their strengths and try to make sure we work the way we usually do.”