ROY KEANE joked he ‘never hit a ball with the outside of the boot’ after Luka Modric’s stunning winner against Scotland.
The Croatia midfielder, 35, stepped up with a sumptuous finish at Hampden Park.
He struck a delightful effort from 20 yards into the top corner just after the hour mark, giving David Marshall no chance.
It put the 2018 World Cup finalists back in front and proved the winner as the Croatians sealed second spot in Group D.
And tough-tackling former midfielder Keane was in the mood to laud the technique – but admitted he would not do it himself.
The ex-Manchester United and Ireland man – who also joked he doesn’t talk to his wife for longer than five minutes – said: “Brilliant goal from a brilliant player. Huge respect to Modric, fantastic. What is he, 35?
“I don’t think I ever kicked the ball with the outside of my foot. What a finish.
“Brilliant player – love watching him.”
Fellow ITV pundit Ian Wright added: “What you see when you give a player of that calibre that kind of time, you’re thinking he’s going to come on [to it] with his left foot.
“But to put it in with the outside of his right foot where he did with that power was amazing.”
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The ITV commentator called it: “Modric! It’s a stunning goal. Luka Modric, still the maestro. And Croatia lead again. It’s a thing of beauty.”
Ally McCoist, on co-commentary duty, added: “The finish is magnificent. The outside of the right foot, deary me.
“That’s fantastic. Absolutely magnificent finish from Modric, heartbreaking but magnificent.”
Fans on Twitter were also quick to praise the former Ballon d’Or winner’s sublime goal.
One wrote: “Hilarious that everyone was just left stunned by Keane’s unequivocal praise for Modric there so there was just dead air for a couple of seconds.”
Another said: “Take a bow Modric.”
A third added: “The power on the outside of his right foot. Brilliant!”
