Euro 2012 qual. - Ireland's Keane to play through pain
Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane will put his body on the line for his country on Saturday night for the Euro 2012 qualifier in Macedonia after admitting he has barely been injury-free since he was a teenager.
The 30-year-old striker landed in Skopje on Thursday night with a major question mark hanging over his participation at the Philip II Stadium because of a groin injury.
He warmed up away from the main group ahead of Friday's session at the stadium before joining them for stretching exercises, but having already signalled his intention to play at the pre-match press conference moments earlier. Keane said: "I think I will be okay. I haven't been 100 per cent probably since I was about 17."
He added: "I have been struggling with Achilles injuries the last few months also and I have carried on through that, so a little groin strain is certainly not going to stop me."
Asked if he would be prepared to have a pain-killing injection as he did before a World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria two years ago, Keane replied: "If required, yes.
"I will just see how training is - but listen, it's not an injury that's going to put me out for months and months, it's muscular, so it's not a big problem. I will see how it is, but rest assured, I will be on that pitch."
Confusion surrounded Keane's injury situation as the travelling party headed out of Dublin amid speculation that he had an ankle problem, rather than a groin strain as assistant boss Marco Tardelli had reported. However, the striker revealed he had felt a tightness in his groin during shooting practice after training on Wednesday, and the discomfort had gradually worsened.
Keane's determination to play - manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named him in his starting line-up alongside West Brom's Simon Cox, who will be making his competitive debut - is motivated more by his desire to help his side bank three more vital points to keep themselves in the race for qualification rather than his own personal landmark.
The three goals he scored in the Carling Nations Cup victories over Northern Ireland and Scotland last week took him to 49 for his country, level with Sir Bobby Charlton's record for England. However, completing a half-century will be of secondary importance on Saturday night.
Keane said: "It would mean obviously a hell of a lot, but I am not going into the game focussing on me to score 50 goals. I am going out to hopefully score a goal for the team and if that means winning the game and 50 goals, then great. But if I don't score and Coxy or Shane Long, whoever, scores and we win the game, for me, that's the most important thing."
Ireland team: Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Darren O'Dea, John O'Shea, Kevin Kilbane, Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Stephen Hunt, Robbie Keane, Simon Cox
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mambles KEANE LEGEND 49 GOALS EQUALS Bobby Charltons RECORD FOR ENGLAND
I dont think keane should be blamed for west ham relegation first off their defence was awful he wasnt in the man utd match where they gave away a two goal lead which was their start of the downfall, he wasnt playing for half the first season and got injured in the second half of the season so he wasnt up to his best these games are giving him another chance for next season and if west brom sell one of their strikers i can see him going to west brom if he and simon cox click well in this match.
Trap is not willing to change his team when new players come along, it's really worrying for the future. Delighted to see that Keane os fit. One of the most prolific international strikers in the world. He loves playing for his country and it shows. I think Long is a great player to come off the bench when needed, I reckon he would have started if he was not playing in the championship playoff last week. Playing Kilbane (great servant to Irish football) ahead of Coleman could be a massive mistake. Hope not!!
MACEDONIA Forever !!!!!!!!!
doyles injured micheal as long is his perfect foil but mambles wants to stop eavesdropping on other peoples conversasations and stop his racist antics
So, he's the top Irish goal scorer, eh?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...
One time great player for both club and country, but now refuses to recognise that he is well past his sell-by date....
Should retire without delay to avoid embarrassing end to his career.
Why is it so important that he beats some english players goalscoring record, I think the journo's seem to have forgotten that despite the best efforts of sky the Republic of Ireland has been a separate nation for some time. He's the top Irish scorer, heading for 50 goals, case closed.
Ireland should stop trying to play a Sasanach game, they're no good at it anyway.
KEANE = CRA,P IRELAND = CRA,P GOING NOWHERE... NEVER WILL...
KEANE = CRA,P IRELAND = CRA,P GOING NOWHERE... NEVER WILL...
its true keane hasn't played well for club for a few years now, but bottom line is i don't care as i'm not a west ham or spurs fan. When it comes to wearing of the green he's still a netfinder and a leader. There aren't too many games left in those legs, so lets get behind him while we still have him...a true goalscorer to follow in his footsteps is yet to emerge, so keane go bragh!
This guy single handed cost West Ham 6 points effectively putting them down whilst drawing wages on loan from Spurs
Smart move by Harry - got rid of the overhead - and the liability - he would never have made the Spurs team anyway
Liverpool were just as pleased to see the back of him too
He missed three open goals Long John Silver could have scored with his one good leg which would have won the matches
This guy is still playing? For few years now wherever he goes he brings bad luck.
Ciaran clarke has been injured since the two carling cup matches.
Getting a bit worried about the Trap. No Shane Long, no Ciaran Clark, and no Seamus Coleman. Trap is too loyal to some players like Andrews and Kilbane. Kilbane - 3rd tier of english football and he gets a game. Whats that all about? Come on Ireland!
I think this match might be scripted in the sense that robbie gets his 50th goal and ireland top the group with russia drawing and slovakia losing well it has the makings of that happening come on IRELAND!!!!
What a proper warrior is Robbie Keane, a prototype, a gladiator an example to all those who choose to forsake their country, the likes of Stephen Ireland and Scholes spring to mind. I wish there were more like him.
Id start with keane and long, this wont be an easy away game we need the best we have, come on ireland!!
@#$% cox over long trap really is mad!!!
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