ROBBIE KEANE has been told he could play a major role in Tottenham’s coming season by boss Harry Redknapp.

The Ireland captain – who was loaned out to Celtic for the second half of last season, having become a bit part in Spurs’ successful bid to qualify for the Champions’ League – had been linked with a permanent move north of the border.

But the Tottenham boss says Keane has every chance of being a significant part in Tottenham’s season as they do battle on four fronts.

Redknapp had previously said that Keane, 30, would only be loaned out again if he was unhappy with the amount of time on the pitch he was being offered at White Hart Lane, and that he would only be let move full-time if another club lodged a substantial bid.

The Tallaght man will face stiff competition from the likes of Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe for a starting berth this season, but has impressed in pre-season and has been told he could start in Spurs’ first game of the season.

Keane scored in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon yesterday, following up his goal against the New York Red Bulls (a game in which Thierry Henry scored on his debut) on Thursday.

Redknapp said Keane “looked sharp and bright – and he is still very much in the plans.

“He wants to start every game and if he keeps playing as he did today, he can do… there is every chance he could start.”

Meanwhile, international exile Stephen Ireland has been told to consider a move away from Manchester City after being warned he might not make Roberto Mancini’s final 25-man Premier League squad.