Linfield officials are unhappy at claims by Keane that the club did not sign a Catholic until shortly before a 1993 World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

"For the first time in its history, Linfield signed a Catholic, a decision that caused much controversy," stated Keane in his book.

"The player, who was also black - another major problem for Linfield's bigoted supporters - didn't last long (nor did the manager who signed him)."

However, Linfield chairman Billy McCoubrey has described Keane's comments on his club as "outrageous and unfounded".

"Some of our most respected players going back as far as the 1940s and '50s, were Catholics," said McCoubrey.

"In more recent times, we have signed many Catholics so I don't know where all this misinformation is coming from".

McCoubrey said that the player in question - Tony Coly - had been treated "like an idol" at Windsor Park after he was signed in 1988.

"Roy Coyle, our manager at the time, signed Coly and another black player at that time and got full backing from the club to do so.

"Coly, is still a hero among the Linfield support for the outstanding service he gave the club - and he was signed five years before the international Roy Keane is talking about.