WITH HIS TWO goals last night, Robbie Keane overtook Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and is now level with Argentina legend Gabriel ‘Batigol’ Batistuta on 15th in the all-time international top scorers chart.
It wasn’t the only milestone for the Ireland striker as his substitute appearance in the 4-0 win earned him a 125th cap meaning he is now level with Ireland’s record holder Shay Given.
Some may argue that Keane is past his best and shouldn’t be first choice anymore but his commitment to the team has never been in question. The 32-year-0ld was initially due to miss the England and Georgia friendlies due to a clash of fixtures with his club LA Galaxy but persuaded them to do a U-turn and release him.
Reflecting on the achievements, Keane says that while it is a great honour, right now he is concentrating on the present.
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“I’m not one of these to dwell on things too much,” Keane said. “I might look back in years to come and say ‘I did okay for a Tallaght lad’.
“As a striker you’re judged on scoring goals. I’m happy with getting the two goals but most importantly it was the performance.
“I know they had ten men and by the letter of the law it’s the right decision but being a friendly game the referee probably could have left it. It would have been a better test for us but in saying that that’s exactly how the Faroes are going to play.
They’re going to sit back like Georgia did for 70 minutes so that’s something that will help us for the Faroes game. Being able to keep the ball, the movement, trying to get into little pockets, which we certainly did, will hopefully stand to us on Friday.
“We should have got the ball moving a little bit quicker in the first half as sometimes we were slow but the pitch was a bit dry so I asked them to water it at half-time and they did. It’s a good learning curve for some of the players and I thought they did well.”
Starting in mifield, Wes Hoolahan’s vision and passing ability were there for everyone to see. It is unlikely that Giovanni Trapattoni will pick him for Friday’s qualifier with the Faroe Islands but Keane thinks the game is made for a player with his qualities.
“He suits me perfect. I like to get in the hole and Wes is one of these players who likes to play it around corners and little one-twos. You saw that in the second half the way we linked up.
“That’s something that we have to look at against the Faroes because they’re going to sit back and we’ll have a lot more possession of the ball. It’s a good weapon to have. It is the perfect game for him.”
Keane also gave a brief mention to Hull City midfielder Stephen Quinn, who made his senior debut at the age of 27.
“Stephen with his first cap – delighted for him. He’s a family friend as I am a good friend of (his brother and former Ireland international) Alan’s. All of his family were here so it was great to see him get on.”
As I commented during the week, wes should be playing behind long. However, keane still has something to offer from the bench if we need a goal. The fact he’s 15th top scorer ever in internationals is incredible. He has been brilliant.
I can never understand the negativity towards keane, he’s been brilliant for irish socer, ’15th all time top international scorer’ thats unbelievable considering where we were up until 1988
Keep going Robbie. If you are fit and available for your country and get selected by the manager, what more can you do? Great record in the green jersey.
Robbie you have been a great servant to our country, in a few days you will be our record cap holder & you are already our leading goalscorer but its time to move over and let a few new players take over the mantle. The longer you stay in the squad the longer it will take us to find a replacement. Your a legend but your best days are behind you.
@ Robert .. Not being smart but that is a silly thing to say The chap scored 2 goals after traveling from the half way across the world to play. Why would you say he should retire? Do you think the other strikers in our squad would scored those goals if Robbie wasn’t there . Look at the line he ran for one if his goals the other day. Think it was McCarthy that had the ball and Robbie was already gone into space before he even decided to play the ball and then he buried it when it was given to him. He will always get us goals
I would agree that when we are playing stronger teams than us that we should be starting Long and playing 5 in midfield but I still would want Robbie there go as long as he want to be there. It’s a hard one for the manager because even though he knows Long offers u more now in overall play he still knows Robbie is more likely to bury a chance that comes his way So I’m sure it must be a proper headache .
If I was manager i would be starting Long and a 5 man midfield agains Germany Sweden and Maybe Austria with Keane coming in a some stage if we need a goal and Robbie would be starting against the others with Long too.
As much as I agree that others need game time to improve but who would you rather play than Robbie that would improve the team at the minute?
I agree with your points John, I just don’t think he is up to international standard any more. Our chances of qualifying for Rio are unlikely at this stage so we shoukd be focusing on getting younger players more game time in big matches, what is the point in Keane playing any more qualifying games when he won’t be around for the next qualifying campaign?? Long & Walters are our two main strikers for the foreseeable future & should be getting as much game time as possible.
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As I commented during the week, wes should be playing behind long. However, keane still has something to offer from the bench if we need a goal. The fact he’s 15th top scorer ever in internationals is incredible. He has been brilliant.
I can never understand the negativity towards keane, he’s been brilliant for irish socer, ’15th all time top international scorer’ thats unbelievable considering where we were up until 1988
Keep going Robbie. If you are fit and available for your country and get selected by the manager, what more can you do? Great record in the green jersey.
Robbie you have been a great servant to our country, in a few days you will be our record cap holder & you are already our leading goalscorer but its time to move over and let a few new players take over the mantle. The longer you stay in the squad the longer it will take us to find a replacement. Your a legend but your best days are behind you.
he’s only 32.. Teddy Sheringham played til 40
Keane gets a lot of criticism but based on his goalscoring record, if you were picking the best Irish team ever, he would have to be in it.
@ Robert .. Not being smart but that is a silly thing to say The chap scored 2 goals after traveling from the half way across the world to play. Why would you say he should retire? Do you think the other strikers in our squad would scored those goals if Robbie wasn’t there . Look at the line he ran for one if his goals the other day. Think it was McCarthy that had the ball and Robbie was already gone into space before he even decided to play the ball and then he buried it when it was given to him. He will always get us goals
I would agree that when we are playing stronger teams than us that we should be starting Long and playing 5 in midfield but I still would want Robbie there go as long as he want to be there. It’s a hard one for the manager because even though he knows Long offers u more now in overall play he still knows Robbie is more likely to bury a chance that comes his way So I’m sure it must be a proper headache .
If I was manager i would be starting Long and a 5 man midfield agains Germany Sweden and Maybe Austria with Keane coming in a some stage if we need a goal and Robbie would be starting against the others with Long too.
As much as I agree that others need game time to improve but who would you rather play than Robbie that would improve the team at the minute?
I agree with your points John, I just don’t think he is up to international standard any more. Our chances of qualifying for Rio are unlikely at this stage so we shoukd be focusing on getting younger players more game time in big matches, what is the point in Keane playing any more qualifying games when he won’t be around for the next qualifying campaign?? Long & Walters are our two main strikers for the foreseeable future & should be getting as much game time as possible.