Merson: 'Ireland can't afford to lose Arter over Keane spat'

Reports emerged over the weekend that Keane had embarked on a foul-mouthed rant aimed at Arter and Jon Walters after finding them sitting out a training session due to niggles.

The incident could wind up costing Arter, Walters and Stephen Ward, whose leaked voice messaged revealed the details of the bust-up, their international careers, something Merson says cannot be allowed to happen.

"There are 20 or 25 players in each squad. Some players like an arm round them, to be told they're the best player a manager's ever seen, it builds their confidence up," Merson explained on 'The Debate' on 'Sky Sports'.

"Others want that kick up the backside, and to be told off, it picks them up. It's horses for courses, everyone's different.

"Obviously Harry Arter's not like that, he seems like a quiet lad. You've got to pick on the ones you know it will help, that's good coaching.

"Don't come on and have a go at a player who's not going to respond like that. It's a hard one, everyone's different. It's a shame, they can't afford to lose players like that."

Fellow panelist Alan Smith concurred with Merson, saying that football has moved on since the days when rollickings were the motivational tool of choice, with Sir Alex Ferguson an excellent example of how to use man management to get the best out of your squad.

"We were brought up on them, it was a test of character, if you could come back from it after really getting slaughtered," he said.

"It's not the same any more, and that's where players and coaches have had to evolve a little bit. Fergie did it brilliantly, he had the hairdryer and all that at that end of his managerial career, but as it evolved he learned you couldn't do that with some players.

"He knew you could still point the finger with some, but with others he was canny enough to see if he did that they wouldn't come back.

"The team spirit with Ireland has always been a big thing. They're not the most talented group of players compared with other countries, but it's that togetherness and working for each other, sticking together through the bad times that's done it.

"The other players will have looked at it and thought 'well, if he has a go at me like that...' They'll be thinking about what they'd do in return. If they lose that spirit, they've lost a lot in that dressing room."