Keane ready for senior role
Robbie Keane looked forward to earning his 50th international cap on Thursday at the tender age of 23 and insisted: “My experience will be good for Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign.”
Tottenham striker Keane will reach a half century of caps in the Republic of Ireland’s friendly international against Romania at Lansdowne Road on Thursday night, and admitted he was surprised to have reached the milestone so early in his career.
But, he knows that having already played in one World Cup campaign in Korea and Japan two years ago, he is one of the older heads as Ireland prepare for Germany 2006.
“I never dreamed when I was younger that I would have so many caps at the age of 23, so naturally I am very much looking forward to this game,” said Keane. “Every game for Ireland is special but obviously the 50th will be particularly special for me.
“It is nice to have a lot of experience because managers are always saying that experience is vital. I am still only 23 but people see me as an experienced professional which is nice in a way, and I am sure it will stand me and my country in good stead when the World Cup qualifying campaign comes around.
“We have got a lot of young lads coming through who have won only a few caps so it is nice for the few experienced lads to help them out. I have played a lot of games now and people are always expecting me to be scoring goals.
“We have been in good shape for a number of years and the results speak for themselves, especially with us losing only one game under Brian Kerr who has come in and is doing a great job.”
Keane picked out his experience in the last World Cup finals as the best moment so far in his international career. But there is sure to be another highlight in the near future as he is just two goals away from equalling Niall Quinn’s record of 21 goals for Ireland.
“The World Cup in 2002 is obviously the main highlight, and scoring against Germany which was my first goal in the tournament,” said Keane. “It was also nice scoring the penalty against Spain in the 90th minute – but then it is always nice to score.
“The goalscoring record is not something I think about every day, if it happens, it happens, but of course it will be nice to get it.”
Keane is hoping that his 50th cap will also coincide with the return to the national team of his namesake – Manchester United skipper Roy Keane – who is due to make his comeback after coming out of retirement if he recovers from thigh and knee knocks suffered in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Keane added: “Roy is a fantastic player and to have someone like him involved is great for the squad.”
