Keane spurred by World Cup memories
Robbie Keane will use the memories of his 2002 World Cup finals adventure to fuel his bid to return eight years later.
The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland skipper's international career was in its infancy when he jetted off to the Far East with Mick McCarthy's squad for a memorable campaign.
However, that has simply increased his hunger to experience it all again in South Africa next summer with France standing between him and his dream.
Keane will lead his country into battle against the French at Croke Park tonight and then again in Paris on Wednesday, and he knows exactly what is at stake.
He said: "We are talking about a World Cup here and there are not many players who get the chance to play in a World Cup.
"If that's the case, please God, it will be my second time, so obviously it's a massive game for me and the whole team and the country."
Keane is Ireland's record international goalscorer with 40 in 94 senior appearances, and any addition to that tally over the next 180 minutes of football could prove priceless.
But while he is the man most likely to worry the French in open play - the Irish believe they have an aerial advantage from set-pieces - he does not care who scores as long as he is wearing a green shirt.
Keane said: "As a striker, of course there's always pressure to score goals, there's no question about that, from other people.
"But myself personally, I never put pressure on myself to score goals. I try to do my best for the team and that's all I can do.
"Whether Robbie Keane scores tonight or anybody else in the team, it doesn't really matter.
"The most important thing is for us to get to South Africa, and that's our biggest aim at the moment."
Croke Park is certain to be packed to the rafters this evening and Keane is confident a repeat of the atmosphere when Ireland very nearly toppled world champions Italy last month could be invaluable.
He said: "That atmosphere after Sean [St Ledger] scored was electric. Unfortunately, we didn't hang on, but that's the way it goes sometimes in football.
"That game will stand us in good stead for the future because we know the jobs we have to do as a team collectively as a group to try to stop those mistakes happening.
"If we have a repeat of what happened last time without the goal, fantastic."
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