FRESH FROM WRAPPING up a new contract with LA Galaxy, Robbie Keane re-iterated his intention to stick with international football for the foreseeable future.
The 33 year-old, who made the move to the US in 2011, confirmed that he has verbally agreed an extension with the MLS club which could see him stay for the another three years.
Current captain, record caps holder and all-time top goalscorer Keane is the most experienced member of the squad and clearly one of the most vocal players in the dressing room.
When asked recently what he wanted in a new manager, he said they had to have “balls”. So does Martin O’Neill with Roy Keane as his assistant fit the bill?
“When we were here the last time the three names (O’Neill, Keane and McCarthy) were mentioned,” Keane told reporters. “I didn’t think we would have the two of them.
“It has been great. I haven’t had the pleasure of working with Martin before. There has always been a lot of speculation over the years but it just never happened.
“I didn’t think I would get the opportunity but thankfully I have. As the gaffer said, it has been very enjoyable. Everybody has been on form and looking forward to a new chapter in Irish football.
“If you’ve seen the response in the last few weeks from the whole nation, it has been incredible. That is the lift that everybody wanted.
You don’t get two bigger characters than Martin and Roy so I think everyone is enthusiastic about the partnership and certainly the players are.”
Robbie was one of the younger generation during the 2002 World Cup but his relationships with his namesake never suffered during one of the biggest fall-outs in the history of Irish football. On the contrary, it would seem.
“No problem at all (with Roy). When I came into the squad first I was a young player coming through and Roy was a player that everybody looked up to and respected.
“People tend to see the negative side but he was always great to me and Damien Duff. He would always speak to us. People forget Roy is a very funny guy when you sit down.
“He is very charming and you can have a good chat with him no problems. You judge people on how they treat you and he was always good to me.”
O’Neill has decided to stick with Keane as captain for the time being and while he stressed how important the striker has been to the set-up, he did add that the situation could change.
“His international record is fantastic,” said O’Neill. “I’d prefer not to be sitting here when I’m telling you that but it’s really brilliant.
“You look at some of the other players who have played international football in reputably better teams than the Republic of Ireland whose record is nowhere near that. It’s remarkable.
“Naturally, I would like to have had a 23-year-old Robbie Keane instead of a 64-year-old Robbie Keane.
“In these couple of days Robbie has been the captain of the team. From the manner in which the players are enthused by it, I didn’t see any reason to change it.
“Somewhere down the line, there might be changes. Personally speaking, I’m not sure whether that element is the most important thing.
“If he’s brilliant and scoring goals for us, I’d be absolutely delighted. If he says that he wants to relinquish the captaincy and enjoy playing, as some players have done, I will listen to him. But that is not something he has said at this minute.”
After 130 caps and 61 goals, Keane feels he is in good enough shape to be involved for the next campaign at least.
I want to play as long as I can (but) I’m not daft. I’m 33 years of age and, ultimately, it’s the manager’s choice. All I can do is keep playing well and scoring goals.
“If he sees that I can continue to do that well then there’s no problem. I don’t have any problem with people making decisions. If there is a situation that when we come around to the Euros for some reason my legs have gone, then I’ll pack it in.
“I’m not stupid. If I feel I can help the country and the manager I’ll do my best because that’s what I’ve done since I was 18 years of age.”
