“SOMEWHERE DOWN THE line, I might be saying I was pleased to have managed him at some stage, and those lads will be saying they were delighted to have played with him on his debut. I don’t think you’ll see a better debut. You’ve set a standard for yourself.”
Prophetic words from Mick McCarthy after the Republic of Ireland’s 2-0 defeat to Argentina in a friendly at Lansdowne Road in April 1998. In an interview with RTÉ’s Ger Canning, the then-Ireland manager was referring to the 17-year-old striker standing to his left — Robbie Keane, who had just made his full international debut.
First-half goals from Gabriel Batistuta and Ariel Ortega may have given the visitors the win, with Ortega picking up the man-of-the-match award, but according to commentator George Hamilton, Keane was “the man of the moment”.
Keane had made his first Ireland appearance a month earlier as a substitute away to Czech Republic, but starting up front alongside Niall Quinn, the young man from Tallaght was catapulted in for his full debut against Argentina after bursting on to the scene with Wolves.
“I enjoyed it tremendously, to be honest with ya. It was a great game. A great experience for me and I just enjoyed every minute of it,” said Keane, who announced today that he’ll retire from international football following next Wednesday’s friendly against Oman, after a decorated career that yielded 67 goals and 145 caps.
He added: “To play up front with Niall Quinn, who’s been around a long time, it’s just brilliant to be up there with him.”
