ROBBIE KEANE IS ready to accept a supporting role in Germany if that’s what Martin O’Neill decides.
Ireland’s record goalscorer added another hat-trick to his haul as the Boys in Green hit minnows Gibraltar for seven.
Tuesday’s game in Gelsenkirchen will be a totally different prospect, especially with the world champions reeling from their shock defeat in Poland.
“Everyone wants to play, there’s no question, but the manager has to pick what’s right for the team,” Keane said last night.
“If it’s right for the team, regardless of if I’m playing or not, I don’t really care. As long as we get a result, I couldn’t care less.
It’s about the team. I think as you get older you understand that and you appreciate that more.
“When you’re young and you’re hungry, you’re more selfish. As you get older, you appreciate the team – I’m not saying I didn’t before.
“The team always comes first, you have to think about that.”
Ireland haven’t forgotten their German nightmare in the last World Cup qualification campaign but Keane believes O’Neill’s squad are in a much stronger position now.
“Put it this way, we’re way ahead of that. That was a one-off in a different situation.
It’s a great opportunity playing against the World Cup champions but we’re not going there just to make the numbers up.
“We’re going there to get something out of the game and I believe with the squad of players that we have, we can do that.”
