MARTIN O’NEILL HAS hailed Robbie Keane as one of Ireland’s ‘finest ever players’ after the striker this afternoon announced his decision to retire from international football.
The 36-year-old will play his final game in green against Oman in next Wednesday’s international friendly at the Aviva Stadium, bringing the curtain down an a 18-year career.
With 67 goals from 145 appearances, Keane will step away as the country’s record caps and goalscorer having made his senior debut against Czech Republic back in March 1998.
“Robbie’s appearances and goals for Ireland speak for themselves,” O’Neill said.
“He is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s finest ever players and I do not see his international goal record being beaten for a very long time, if ever. It will take us some time to get over his absence.”
The Dubliner appeared in three major international tournaments and scored in 15 consecutive years to place him 15th on the list of all-time international goalscorers.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
