Roy Keane is renowned for being a tough character on and off the field – first as a player, then as a pundit – with crunching tackles and even tougher words down the camera.

But while he may be one of football’s most feared hardmen, away from the game and with his family, he’s just like anyone else – a doting grandfather with a softer side.

Recently, the former Manchester United captain showed that side in full on Instagram, sharing a series of snaps from a family holiday to celebrate his 54th birthday.

Among the photos and videos were moments of Keane splashing around in the pool with his grandchildren, helping them build sandcastles on the beach, and smiling proudly as he held his youngest – and third – grandchild, born earlier this year.

The caption to his birthday post was as warm as the images themselves: "Happy Birthday to me. All the gifts I need."

For a man whose career was built on grit and steel, it was a rare public glimpse of the gentler moments that matter most.

Even the toughest captains, it turns out, have a soft centre.

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