Keane unconcerned by goal drought
Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane will head into tonight’s opening World Cup qualifier against Georgia unfazed by his lack of goals for new club Liverpool.
Keane has gone five games – three in the Barclays Premier League and two in the Champions League – for the Anfield club without finding the back of the net since securing his £20.3m switch from Tottenham during the summer.
However, he has struck in each of his last three appearances for his country to take his tally to 34, and as he attempts to extend that record against the Georgians in Mainz, he is not at all concerned by his Merseyside drought.
Asked if that was on his mind, Keane said: “No, because I am playing for Ireland. No, not at all.
“As I have said before many times, I never worry about not scoring goals.
“I scored my last one for Ireland; I am with Ireland now, so as long as I do the business for Ireland tonight, that’s the most important thing at this present time.”
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side face a tricky start to their Group Eight campaign against Georgia in Germany – the tie was moved to a neutral venue because of the political situation in Georgia – and then head for Podgorica, where they face Montenegro on Wednesday evening.
But they are unbeaten in three games under their veteran Italian coach, and there is a growing sense of anticipation about what they can achieve under his leadership.
Keane continued: “The spirit in the camp has always been great, but it always helps when you are doing well and you are winning games.
“When you are winning or you are not losing, it gives players confidence and makes the team spirit even better, and you have seen that in the last few games.
“Everyone is excited now. The whole country is buzzing now and looking forward to the campaign starting, and the players alike are really looking forward to this campaign.
“We will look forward to tomorrow’s game and then concentrate on the games after that. The players are raring to go.”
Trapattoni has spent much of his time between squad get-togethers watching DVDs of previous Ireland games and identifying the areas he feels need to be worked on.
He is confident he has plenty of ability and commitment at his disposal, and believes by addressing the fine detail of what has cost the Republic in the recent past, he can make significant improvements.
He said: “I saw many, many DVDs of Ireland when they played well, but they lost because of little details.
“Today, with little situations and little mistakes, individual mistakes, it is possible to lose a game.”
