Roy Keane was quick to applaud England’s 3-0 win over Greece on Thursday, though his praise came with a bit of a catch.

England avenged their 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last month, rising to the top of their Nations League group with goals from Ollie Watkins, newcomer Curtis Jones, and an own goal by Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Lee Carsley’s team, which had been under scrutiny due to missing players, had all the more reason to celebrate their strong showing.

Jude Bellingham, who has had a slow season so far with Real Madrid, played with newfound “swagger,” as Keane observed, delivering a notably improved performance.

“He’s got that quality, swagger. It was a mature performance. He’s an outstanding player. They deserved that bit of luck,” Keane shared with ITV after the match.

“They tried to show off their skill without putting in the work at Wembley. You have to earn the right to play,” he added. Fellow ITV pundit Ian Wright highlighted Curtis Jones’s drive and versatility in his debut.

“Curtis Jones was so determined, hungry to get into the box. He has the ability to adapt and do just that. Brilliant tonight,” Wright said of the Liverpool player.

After commending England, Keane couldn’t help but take a playful jab.

“You’ve got an Irishman getting you to the top of the group and a German set to take over!” he joked.

Interim coach Lee Carsley, who represented Ireland 40 times between 1997 and 2008, will step down after the game against Ireland this weekend.

While Thomas Tuchel was absent—a decision that’s drawn some criticism—he’ll step in as manager in early 2025. The team he inherits now stands a strong chance of finishing as group winners in their Nations League campaign, provided they defeat Ireland in the final match.