Opposition supporters would be wise to consider alternatives before insulting at Roy Keane. The Irishman yesterday reflected on recent incidents of players and managers being abused by fans — Sol Campbell and Harry Redknapp have this week complained about the treatment they have received from the stands — and admitted that he has often been tempted to “do a Cantona”.

Campbell, the Portsmouth centre half, who was targeted by supporters of Tottenham Hotspur, his former club, has called on the FA to deal with a malaise that Redknapp insists is “creeping well into the game”. Keane believes that to be an impractical suggestion. “What can you do about it?” he asked. But the Sunderland manager thinks some form of mild response should be permitted.

He does not condone violence, of course, but the desire to emulate Eric Cantona, his former team-mate at Manchester United, has, on occasion, been strong. In January 1995, the Frenchman famously leapt studs-first into the stand at Selhurst Park, making contact with Matthew Simmons, a Crystal Palace fan. In his autobiography, Keane, who was playing that day, referred to Simmons as a “looper”.

“I agree with Sol Campbell, but as soon as you say that, people say you’ve got to accept it because you’re in the public eye and you’re getting well paid,” Keane said. “I know Harry Redknapp was annoyed with the abuse he got at Villa Park. Different people get different abuse. I’ve been abused everywhere.

“Whether it’s because you’re Irish or they hear something or believe something, then you get it. Sometimes it is over the top, but what can you do? Are you going to eject 40,000 or 50,000 supporters for abusing a player or a manager? It’s very hard to deal with. That’ll never change. I’m an ex-United player and at particular grounds — Liverpool, Arsenal — you’re going to get dog’s abuse.

“I don’t take it personally. You try and forget about it, but sometimes you react — you’re human. Ashley Cole reacted last week, then people want him to be fined and hammered and banned. I think you should be allowed to give a little bit back. I do. I wanted to do an Eric Cantona loads of times. I wanted to do it everywhere. Eventually, Eric just thought, ‘Enough is enough’.

“In other sports — NBA basketball — we’ve seen players going into the crowd and fighting people. You can see it with managers. I saw Brian Clough go on to the pitch after a cup game against QPR and smack two supporters. It’s just the mood he was in. As he said, they ran on to his pitch — it’s like running on to his garden. Get off.”

Sticking up for himself is something Keane is adept at. The same will apply when the transfer market reopens next month, when there is an expectation that Sunderland will spend the £20 million that Niall Quinn’s Drumaville consortium has made available. In their position near the relegation zone, new recruits are necessary, but Keane will not be pressured.

“There is an expectation about January that we should be bringing in certain players or spending a certain amount, trying to appease the fans, but I won’t go down that road,” Keane, who has identified Stephen Hunt, of Reading, as a possible addition, said. “When you’re near the bottom of the league, there’s a feeling you need to do something, but if we can’t get the players we want, we’ll stay as we are.”

Keane is adamant, however, that Kenwyne Jones, the striker, who is reportedly a target for Chelsea and Liverpool, is “going nowhere”.