Robbie Keane announced
his international retirement last week. After 145 caps, and 67 goals,
it’s a decision that makes sense. He’d be 38 by the time the 2018
World Cup rolls around. His goal return has been declining in recent
years and you can’t expect him to lead the line against the top
countries at the expense of Shane Long or others. Those long commutes
from Los Angeles to sit on the bench or make sporadic appearances
would be harder to justify for both himself and manager Martin
O’Neill. The time is right, few could argue otherwise. Yet I felt
my heart breaking when I heard the news first. Part of me wanted him
to continue on for just one more campaign, to just score one more
goal that would propel us to a World Cup. In the time I’ve been
following Ireland, he is the greatest player I’ve ever seen play
for us, and I’m struggling to accept the fact he won’t be putting
on the No.10 jersey ever again.
I’m 25 years old (I know, my articles suggest I’m much older and crankier than that). Much like the recently retired Shay Given, Robbie Keane has always been a part of the Irish set-up for as long as I can remember. He even played a part in the first ever Ireland game I attended back in 1998. It was 2 months after he made his debut proper. A large crowd descended on Lansdowne Road for the testimonial of Ireland’s greatest ever player, Paul McGrath. I have a few vague memories of that day, getting lost three times and my father being irate with my tendency to wander being more vivid than others. I also remember a certain youngster up front breaking the line and scoring for Ireland. The cartwheel celebration soon followed, along with the needless raising of an offside flag. It didn’t matter it was ruled out for offside or that it was a testimonial. He stood out from the rest. Now 18 years later, his record in an Irish shirt is nothing short of outstanding and exceptional. We went to Lansdowne Road that day to pay tribute to arguably Ireland’s greatest player. None of us in the stands that day, even Robbie Keane himself, could have predicted that his own international career would scale the same heights of greatness that McGraths did. We knew he was special, but as the man said himself “it has exceeded my wildest expectations”.
He celebrated that offside goal like it was the most important one he ever scored. He would have to wait a few months longer before he would get his first senior goal for Ireland, striking twice against Malta in a Euro 2000 qualifier. He was only 18 years of age and already a household name in Irish football. A schoolboy footballer from Tallaght, he started his career with Crumlin United before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 15. Within two years of moving to England, he was starting for the first team and scoring goals. All the while, he was already an integral part of a Golden Generation in Irish underage football. Under the tutelage of Brian Kerr, Keane was part of the Irish side that claimed the U-18 European Championship in Greece in 1998, beating the Germans in the final on penalties no less. There were a number of players from that team and others under Kerr’s guidance that would go onto to have lengthy international careers. Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and John O’Shea to name a few. It was the kind of success unheard of before in Irish football, never seen since. And there is no doubting that there hasn’t been a striker we have developed that was anything like Robbie Keane. Not even close. It’s hard to foresee anyone like him in the future either.
I’m 25 years old (I know, my articles suggest I’m much older and crankier than that). Much like the recently retired Shay Given, Robbie Keane has always been a part of the Irish set-up for as long as I can remember. He even played a part in the first ever Ireland game I attended back in 1998. It was 2 months after he made his debut proper. A large crowd descended on Lansdowne Road for the testimonial of Ireland’s greatest ever player, Paul McGrath. I have a few vague memories of that day, getting lost three times and my father being irate with my tendency to wander being more vivid than others. I also remember a certain youngster up front breaking the line and scoring for Ireland. The cartwheel celebration soon followed, along with the needless raising of an offside flag. It didn’t matter it was ruled out for offside or that it was a testimonial. He stood out from the rest. Now 18 years later, his record in an Irish shirt is nothing short of outstanding and exceptional. We went to Lansdowne Road that day to pay tribute to arguably Ireland’s greatest player. None of us in the stands that day, even Robbie Keane himself, could have predicted that his own international career would scale the same heights of greatness that McGraths did. We knew he was special, but as the man said himself “it has exceeded my wildest expectations”.
He celebrated that offside goal like it was the most important one he ever scored. He would have to wait a few months longer before he would get his first senior goal for Ireland, striking twice against Malta in a Euro 2000 qualifier. He was only 18 years of age and already a household name in Irish football. A schoolboy footballer from Tallaght, he started his career with Crumlin United before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 15. Within two years of moving to England, he was starting for the first team and scoring goals. All the while, he was already an integral part of a Golden Generation in Irish underage football. Under the tutelage of Brian Kerr, Keane was part of the Irish side that claimed the U-18 European Championship in Greece in 1998, beating the Germans in the final on penalties no less. There were a number of players from that team and others under Kerr’s guidance that would go onto to have lengthy international careers. Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and John O’Shea to name a few. It was the kind of success unheard of before in Irish football, never seen since. And there is no doubting that there hasn’t been a striker we have developed that was anything like Robbie Keane. Not even close. It’s hard to foresee anyone like him in the future either.
It
was Mick McCarthy that gave him his Senior debut in March 1998
against the Czech Republic in Oluomuc. He followed that up a month
later with an impressive home debut against Argentina. Before the
year was out, he had 5 caps to his name and two goals. In such a
short space of time, he had secured his place in the first team and
never looked back. His precocious talent had adapted well to the
International scene in no time. Tall front men like Niall Quinn and
Tony Cascarino now had someone who could latch on to their support
play and take full advantage of it. Yet he wasn’t just the perfect
foil for the classic number nine. Keane never had the blistering pace
that defined Michael Owen, another young striker who broke through at
the same time. However, he was still quick and agile enough to get to
the ball first and beat the defender with his runs. He never had the
imposing presence or height Niall Quinn had, but he often led the
line on his own and scored numerous headers. Of all the goals he did
score, they weren’t all tap in’s or inside the box. He was more
than capable of striking them from distance. Be it in Amsterdam in
2004 for Ireland against the Dutch or in a London derby for Tottenham
against Chelsea in 2008. Above all however he had superb
intelligence, demonstrated off the ball or in possession, that was
honed through years of playing football on the streets in Tallaght.
He may not have been the quickest or the most powerful but he had the
intelligence to look past his shortcomings and be a devastating
threat up front for any team he played for. None more so than for the
Republic of Ireland.
He would score 5 goals in the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, including a well taken effort against Turkey in the play-offs. Although Ireland narrowly missed out on making that competition, Keane wouldn’t have to wait long before he’d grace a major tournament. He would score just twice in the following World Cup qualifying campaign but made his mark in the play-off against Iran, scoring what turned out to be the decisive goal in the tie. Ireland’s preparations before the tournament were rocked by the Saipan debacle where another Keane, Roy, would be the sole talking point across Ireland and indeed the World. It had the potential to ruin the experience and the tournament for Ireland but Robbie wasn’t fazed. It was in Japan & Korea where he truly announced himself on the World Stage. He was unlucky not to score in the first group game against Cameroon when a stunning strike outside the box struck the post. Against Germany however, the post wouldn’t be enough to stop him scoring an injury time equaliser right at the death. It was a superbly taken goal in difficult circumstances. A long ball from Steve Finnan was knocked down by Niall Quinn into the 18 yard box. Robbie ran directly into its path and his first touch took it past the falling challenge of Carsten Ramelow. He still had an awful lot to at this stage in order to get to the ball and strike it past Oliver Kahn, who was in excellent form that night. However he hit it hard enough past Kahn and off the inside of the post. It rolled across the back of the net as the stadium erupted.
The significance of the goal had a lot more to do than just giving Ireland a point with one group game to go. It announced to the world that Ireland had a potent goalscoring threat who had the habit of doing a cartwheel celebration when he scored. The images of Keane tumbling and rolling in front of delirious Irish fans and flashing cameras has become embedded within Irish folklore. The images of Mick McCarthy with his mouth open as the ball hit the net were just one of many reactions and stories that followed. Where were you when he equalised against the Germans? Some quit their jobs to watch it, others were stuck doing state exams. I know exactly where I was watching it that morning and the explosion of joy that followed. No longer was the country in the depths of despair about Roy Keane and his decision to leave. We were all ecstatic and delirious, roaring the name of another Keane, our newest hero. There wasn’t a goal of the same magnitude scored for years after it, until Shane Long scored one of his own against Germany in Dublin in 2015. Many years after the final whistle of that game, the country found itself in the midst of an economic crisis. One citizen took to Youtube to cheer himself up at situation unfolding and looked up Robbies goal against Germany that summer. He or she simply posted a comment…
BAIL THAT OUT U FUCKERS!
It was a defining moment in his career and he would score twice more in that World Cup. A lovely first time volley that crept under the Al-Deayea in Saudi Arabia goal gave Ireland the perfect start in a game they needed to win by 2 clear goals. Damien Duff, another youth graduate and very good friend of Keanes, would add a 3rd late in the game. These two youngsters were lighting up the tournament and their performances would not go unnoticed. They continued to cause a threat in the next round against Spain. Just minutes into the game, Keane cut inside on the edge of the box and flashed a curling effort narrowly wide of the goal. In the 2nd half, Duff’s trickery and direct running won Ireland a penalty that wasn't converted. Going into injury time, Ireland were 1-0 down and staring elimination in the face when the Spaniards conceded another penalty. This time Keane stepped up, and he calmly left Iker Casillas standing as the ball went past him, levelling the game up and keeping Ireland in the World Cup. In a last 16 game that was defined by poor penalties and missed opportunities from an Irish point of view, Keane’s composure was never in doubt and would later score in the shoot-out which Ireland lost out in.
If you were to tell someone, moments after that shoot-out, that the 2002 World Cup would be the pinnacle of Robbie’s international career, they would look at you disbelief. Sadly however, Ireland would not reach another major tournament for 10 years. Near misses, questionable management, missed opportunities, a fucking handball, amongst unfortunate results and circumstances thwarted Keane’s opportunity to show the world his abilities at his peak. He never gave up however. His international career was a testament to longevity and dedication. He was fortunate in his career to escape a serious injury that would keep him out for long periods. However, there were numerous instances where Keane’s commitment to the national team exceeded expectation. Three days after burying his father, he was on a flight to Georgia to play a Euro 2004 qualifier. Two hours after the birth of his 2nd son Hudson, he left the hospital in Los Angeles and boarded a flight back to Ireland to play for the national team against Bosnia. Just last year, two days before a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, a tragic accident claimed the lives of his two cousins, Alan and Stephen Harris. Despite the tragedy, he stayed with the squad and came on as a substitute in the game, wearing a black armband in their memory. He always turned up, even at the detriment to his club career, because playing for Ireland was the ultimate for him. There is an attributed quote I’ve seen on Irish football forums. If memory serves me correct it was in relation to Stephen Ireland and his decision not to play for Ireland and his continuing indifference towards it. Keane, when asked about the matter, was aghast at his indifference, allegedly responding “This is our fucking country we're talking about”. How veritable that quote is debatable but in his retirement statement he did say “Each and every time I put on the green jersey it is such an honour.” As someone who watched him for years, the honour was truly mine as well.
That honour was increased even more in 2005 when he was named Ireland captain by manager Steve Staunton. While Stan’s legacy as manager leaves a lot to be desired, he can always point to the fact he was the one who gave Keane that honour. It was an inspired decision as Staunton couldn’t have picked a more dedicated and influential person to lead the Irish football team. A leader on the pitch, he cultivated a strong team spirit off it. Whether it was initiating sing songs as a way of welcoming newcomers to the squad, or properly celebrating iconic Irish victories out on the town in Dublin, it forged a tight bond within the squad that often shone through on the pitch. This team spirit was a key component of Giovanni Trapattoni’s approach in charge of Ireland, where Keane retained the captaincy. After the devastation of missing out on the 2010 World Cup, Ireland qualified for Euro 2012 via a play-off against Estonia where Keane scored twice. However the tournament itself was a disaster as Ireland crashed out with three defeats. Questions began to be asked of Keane’s effectiveness up front as he entered the latter part of his career career. Trapattoni’s successor, Martin O’Neill, was faced with the tough decision to keep his captain in reserve as they qualified for Euro 2016. Keane unselfishly put the team first and never let losing his starting place affect the morale of the team. Furthermore his contribution off the field was invaluable according to his manager. Even when his place in the final squad for Euro 2016 was in doubt, he was being talked up as being brought for leadership purposes if he didn’t make it. And while he did make it in the end, he still played a key role off the field in the tournament. He took his place on the bench when he wasn’t starting but would soon find himself roaring instructions and support from the sidelines as the game went on. He has always led by example and there isn’t anyone who could argue otherwise about that.
Keane sits unchallenged at the top of the Irish goals leaderboard. The next in line is played is Niall Quinn on 21, followed by Frank Stapleton on 20. Both of those players could be argued played on better Irish teams than Keane did. The next nearest active player on the list is Shane Long on 16. I’d be quite happy to wager a bet that Long will do well to score half of Keane’s total. A great dependence fell upon the Tallaght man throughout his Ireland career as the countries only natural goalscorer. More often than not he delivered, unfazed by the demands expected of him. Sometimes he didn’t. He was human after all. There were times when he missed penalties, one-on-ones, headers from five yards out and give Irish fans reason to curse him, even if he would give us reason to forget about minutes later. Sometimes he would get frustrated himself with misplaced service from team mates but that was because he set himself high standards. How else could you explain his goalscoring record? While the hardcore Irish fans would easily forget his shortcomings, and appreciate his value to the team, it soon became the norm everywhere else to dwell on them.
I can’t exactly pinpoint a time it became a hobby to criticise him but even when he delivered, Keane would remarkably find himself failing to impress the general public or even his team-mates. Arguments centering on his quality of goals “Ah it was only a tap-in” the opposition “ah it was only the Faroes”, or even his attitude up front “ah he’s too greedy, too selfish”. Stephen Hunt came out this week to offer an alternative opinion amongst the tributes and plaudits. The article, not entirely a negative one as he praised Keane in sections, focused on the point that Keane turned things into a one man show after every goal he scored. This selfish nature would be to the ire of many people who sought to belittle his achievements. It’s an opinion I find pathetic. Strikers, centre-forwards, false number 9’s whatever you want to call them are selfish by nature. They’re supposed to be. Would you prefer if a striker laid off a perfect through ball just so he switch between being selfish and unselfish for the good of team-mates or the opinion of the public? So what if his celebrations were self-centered, this is a man who loved playing for his country and scoring goals. He was entitled to indulge himself. While Keane celebrations could be called selfish, the man was a consummate professional off the pitch in his duties that you could never hold it against him.
The selfishness was the starting point before the criticism was laced with notions that he only scored against weaker countries in friendlies. Here’s an interesting statistic for those keyboard warriors out there. 44 of Keane's 67 goals came in competitive fixtures. Not just Gibraltar or the Faroes but against the likes Germany, Spain, Holland, Italy, France, Sweden to name just a few. In scoring his three consecutive goals in the 2002 World Cup, he joined the likes of Pele, Jairzinho, Ronaldo, Eusebio and Mario Kempes amongst others to achieve the same feat. All this playing for Ireland, a country who only ever qualified for six major tournaments in its history. A country never blessed to have the service the likes of Miroslav Klose or Gerd Muller enjoyed with Germany. A country whose football team bore the brunt of an over expectant public when it failed to qualify for a major tournament from 2002 to 2012. In the absence of competition football many sought to criticise the one player who always gave his all regardless of the circumstances. Armchair analysts or barstoolers on their throne would soon find themselves out of their depth when the facts above are outlined to them. There were many times he didn’t score, or missed chances. Yet he never let criticism or the disappointment of missed opportunities get him down. He never lacked self-belief in his ability to perform. Amongst the hardcore Irish football support, there was a common consensus that Robbie Keane was underappreciated during his career. He wasn’t universally appreciated as other sporting icons of his time like Brian O’Driscoll for example. No slight on O’Driscoll, another immensely talented and successful athlete in his own right, but it always stumped me how he had the nation in the palm of his hand, while the other half of that nation would rather close their fist at the mention of Keane. Of the criticism, Keane has said “That's football. You are going to get criticised sometimes, but all I did was want to do my best for the country, and I think I have done that”. The facts speak for themselves. In the years to come, I firmly believe many will come to regret under appreciating him while he was playing.
His club career may not have mirrored the same heights many expected him to achieve. Aside from brief spells at Inter Milan and 10 years later at Liverpool, he didn’t play for a marquee European club. The large majority of his club career was spent at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored 121 goals in 291 matches, winning the League Cup in 2008. Spells at Wolves, Coventry, Leeds, and loan spells at West Ham and Aston Villa made him a journeyman in football terms. However, the journeyman tag would be an unfair one to label on Keane. For a start, he’d be an expensive one. He has accounted for £70.3 million in transfer fees, with his move from Wolves to Coventry in 1999 making him the most expensive teenager in British football at the time. Overall, as of the 7th August 2016, he has played 715 games across 10 clubs, scoring 314 goals in his club career. Those are serious statistics and more than the average journeyman footballer would experience. He was derided across social media for stating it was a dream come true to play for certain clubs he signed for. Maybe it does sound silly but for those who routinely brought it up, they could only dream of living in Hollywood and playing football for a living right now, never mind have the career that preceded it. And at the LA Galaxy, he has continued to flourish with 101 goals in 157 games. Just last month he was named the greatest signing in Major League Soccer history. A quick google of marquee signings in that League and you’ll see some of the talent he was up against. David Beckham and Steven Gerrard were one of the many former colleagues who praised Keane upon announcement of his international retirement, as well as many of his former managers.
In the last week, I’ve been looking back at the key moments of his Irish career and where was I watching them…
His debut?
Watching the highlights on RTE News, oblivious to the career that would follow.
His first goal in Lansdowne Road?
In the old Main Stand with my father. It may have been a testimonial and it may have been offside but it was the start of something special.
When he scored against Turkey?
Jumping up and down in my living room. The Turks would teach me the painful meaning of an away goal minutes later.
Ibaraki?
In the school library watching it. Some of us were sitting on a bench at the back to see over the people ahead of us. My friend beside me had a broken arm and couldn’t join in with the celebrations, I nearly fell over him and broke his other arm in the celebrations.
That last minute penalty against Spain?
In my bedroom, unable to look.
His first game as captain? Watching the highlights over and over on Sky Sports News, seeing the new captain beam with joy upon scoring that night.
When he scored against France?
In a pub in Letterkenny. As the ball was cut back to Keane, some clown stood up on his chair and blocked my view, I switched to another screen and saw slot the ball into the corner, giving everyone in Ireland renewed hope.
When he scored twice against Estonia to send us to Euro 2012?In my apartment in Letterkenny, drinking cans and triumphantly proclaiming I’d be going to the Euros, which I did.
His last competitive goal for Ireland?
In the stands in Faro
The last competitive game he played for Ireland?
behind the goal in Bordeaux, where he saluted the fans who travelled at full-time, like he did every time he played.
It won’t be the last time I’ll see him. He’ll be lining out for the 146th and final time against Oman tonight. Hardly a marquee name worthy of your final game but a good chance to hopefully add to his 67 international goals. He will continue to lead the line for LA Galaxy in the years to come and is currently doing his coaching badges. I fully expect to see him involved in a management capacity in the future, if not in the stands supporting the Boys In Green. On the pitch however, we will never see anyone like him again play up front for Ireland. Never. And while that breaks my heart, I will be forever grateful I witnessed someone like him play for Ireland.
He would score 5 goals in the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, including a well taken effort against Turkey in the play-offs. Although Ireland narrowly missed out on making that competition, Keane wouldn’t have to wait long before he’d grace a major tournament. He would score just twice in the following World Cup qualifying campaign but made his mark in the play-off against Iran, scoring what turned out to be the decisive goal in the tie. Ireland’s preparations before the tournament were rocked by the Saipan debacle where another Keane, Roy, would be the sole talking point across Ireland and indeed the World. It had the potential to ruin the experience and the tournament for Ireland but Robbie wasn’t fazed. It was in Japan & Korea where he truly announced himself on the World Stage. He was unlucky not to score in the first group game against Cameroon when a stunning strike outside the box struck the post. Against Germany however, the post wouldn’t be enough to stop him scoring an injury time equaliser right at the death. It was a superbly taken goal in difficult circumstances. A long ball from Steve Finnan was knocked down by Niall Quinn into the 18 yard box. Robbie ran directly into its path and his first touch took it past the falling challenge of Carsten Ramelow. He still had an awful lot to at this stage in order to get to the ball and strike it past Oliver Kahn, who was in excellent form that night. However he hit it hard enough past Kahn and off the inside of the post. It rolled across the back of the net as the stadium erupted.
The significance of the goal had a lot more to do than just giving Ireland a point with one group game to go. It announced to the world that Ireland had a potent goalscoring threat who had the habit of doing a cartwheel celebration when he scored. The images of Keane tumbling and rolling in front of delirious Irish fans and flashing cameras has become embedded within Irish folklore. The images of Mick McCarthy with his mouth open as the ball hit the net were just one of many reactions and stories that followed. Where were you when he equalised against the Germans? Some quit their jobs to watch it, others were stuck doing state exams. I know exactly where I was watching it that morning and the explosion of joy that followed. No longer was the country in the depths of despair about Roy Keane and his decision to leave. We were all ecstatic and delirious, roaring the name of another Keane, our newest hero. There wasn’t a goal of the same magnitude scored for years after it, until Shane Long scored one of his own against Germany in Dublin in 2015. Many years after the final whistle of that game, the country found itself in the midst of an economic crisis. One citizen took to Youtube to cheer himself up at situation unfolding and looked up Robbies goal against Germany that summer. He or she simply posted a comment…
BAIL THAT OUT U FUCKERS!
It was a defining moment in his career and he would score twice more in that World Cup. A lovely first time volley that crept under the Al-Deayea in Saudi Arabia goal gave Ireland the perfect start in a game they needed to win by 2 clear goals. Damien Duff, another youth graduate and very good friend of Keanes, would add a 3rd late in the game. These two youngsters were lighting up the tournament and their performances would not go unnoticed. They continued to cause a threat in the next round against Spain. Just minutes into the game, Keane cut inside on the edge of the box and flashed a curling effort narrowly wide of the goal. In the 2nd half, Duff’s trickery and direct running won Ireland a penalty that wasn't converted. Going into injury time, Ireland were 1-0 down and staring elimination in the face when the Spaniards conceded another penalty. This time Keane stepped up, and he calmly left Iker Casillas standing as the ball went past him, levelling the game up and keeping Ireland in the World Cup. In a last 16 game that was defined by poor penalties and missed opportunities from an Irish point of view, Keane’s composure was never in doubt and would later score in the shoot-out which Ireland lost out in.
If you were to tell someone, moments after that shoot-out, that the 2002 World Cup would be the pinnacle of Robbie’s international career, they would look at you disbelief. Sadly however, Ireland would not reach another major tournament for 10 years. Near misses, questionable management, missed opportunities, a fucking handball, amongst unfortunate results and circumstances thwarted Keane’s opportunity to show the world his abilities at his peak. He never gave up however. His international career was a testament to longevity and dedication. He was fortunate in his career to escape a serious injury that would keep him out for long periods. However, there were numerous instances where Keane’s commitment to the national team exceeded expectation. Three days after burying his father, he was on a flight to Georgia to play a Euro 2004 qualifier. Two hours after the birth of his 2nd son Hudson, he left the hospital in Los Angeles and boarded a flight back to Ireland to play for the national team against Bosnia. Just last year, two days before a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, a tragic accident claimed the lives of his two cousins, Alan and Stephen Harris. Despite the tragedy, he stayed with the squad and came on as a substitute in the game, wearing a black armband in their memory. He always turned up, even at the detriment to his club career, because playing for Ireland was the ultimate for him. There is an attributed quote I’ve seen on Irish football forums. If memory serves me correct it was in relation to Stephen Ireland and his decision not to play for Ireland and his continuing indifference towards it. Keane, when asked about the matter, was aghast at his indifference, allegedly responding “This is our fucking country we're talking about”. How veritable that quote is debatable but in his retirement statement he did say “Each and every time I put on the green jersey it is such an honour.” As someone who watched him for years, the honour was truly mine as well.
That honour was increased even more in 2005 when he was named Ireland captain by manager Steve Staunton. While Stan’s legacy as manager leaves a lot to be desired, he can always point to the fact he was the one who gave Keane that honour. It was an inspired decision as Staunton couldn’t have picked a more dedicated and influential person to lead the Irish football team. A leader on the pitch, he cultivated a strong team spirit off it. Whether it was initiating sing songs as a way of welcoming newcomers to the squad, or properly celebrating iconic Irish victories out on the town in Dublin, it forged a tight bond within the squad that often shone through on the pitch. This team spirit was a key component of Giovanni Trapattoni’s approach in charge of Ireland, where Keane retained the captaincy. After the devastation of missing out on the 2010 World Cup, Ireland qualified for Euro 2012 via a play-off against Estonia where Keane scored twice. However the tournament itself was a disaster as Ireland crashed out with three defeats. Questions began to be asked of Keane’s effectiveness up front as he entered the latter part of his career career. Trapattoni’s successor, Martin O’Neill, was faced with the tough decision to keep his captain in reserve as they qualified for Euro 2016. Keane unselfishly put the team first and never let losing his starting place affect the morale of the team. Furthermore his contribution off the field was invaluable according to his manager. Even when his place in the final squad for Euro 2016 was in doubt, he was being talked up as being brought for leadership purposes if he didn’t make it. And while he did make it in the end, he still played a key role off the field in the tournament. He took his place on the bench when he wasn’t starting but would soon find himself roaring instructions and support from the sidelines as the game went on. He has always led by example and there isn’t anyone who could argue otherwise about that.
Keane sits unchallenged at the top of the Irish goals leaderboard. The next in line is played is Niall Quinn on 21, followed by Frank Stapleton on 20. Both of those players could be argued played on better Irish teams than Keane did. The next nearest active player on the list is Shane Long on 16. I’d be quite happy to wager a bet that Long will do well to score half of Keane’s total. A great dependence fell upon the Tallaght man throughout his Ireland career as the countries only natural goalscorer. More often than not he delivered, unfazed by the demands expected of him. Sometimes he didn’t. He was human after all. There were times when he missed penalties, one-on-ones, headers from five yards out and give Irish fans reason to curse him, even if he would give us reason to forget about minutes later. Sometimes he would get frustrated himself with misplaced service from team mates but that was because he set himself high standards. How else could you explain his goalscoring record? While the hardcore Irish fans would easily forget his shortcomings, and appreciate his value to the team, it soon became the norm everywhere else to dwell on them.
I can’t exactly pinpoint a time it became a hobby to criticise him but even when he delivered, Keane would remarkably find himself failing to impress the general public or even his team-mates. Arguments centering on his quality of goals “Ah it was only a tap-in” the opposition “ah it was only the Faroes”, or even his attitude up front “ah he’s too greedy, too selfish”. Stephen Hunt came out this week to offer an alternative opinion amongst the tributes and plaudits. The article, not entirely a negative one as he praised Keane in sections, focused on the point that Keane turned things into a one man show after every goal he scored. This selfish nature would be to the ire of many people who sought to belittle his achievements. It’s an opinion I find pathetic. Strikers, centre-forwards, false number 9’s whatever you want to call them are selfish by nature. They’re supposed to be. Would you prefer if a striker laid off a perfect through ball just so he switch between being selfish and unselfish for the good of team-mates or the opinion of the public? So what if his celebrations were self-centered, this is a man who loved playing for his country and scoring goals. He was entitled to indulge himself. While Keane celebrations could be called selfish, the man was a consummate professional off the pitch in his duties that you could never hold it against him.
The selfishness was the starting point before the criticism was laced with notions that he only scored against weaker countries in friendlies. Here’s an interesting statistic for those keyboard warriors out there. 44 of Keane's 67 goals came in competitive fixtures. Not just Gibraltar or the Faroes but against the likes Germany, Spain, Holland, Italy, France, Sweden to name just a few. In scoring his three consecutive goals in the 2002 World Cup, he joined the likes of Pele, Jairzinho, Ronaldo, Eusebio and Mario Kempes amongst others to achieve the same feat. All this playing for Ireland, a country who only ever qualified for six major tournaments in its history. A country never blessed to have the service the likes of Miroslav Klose or Gerd Muller enjoyed with Germany. A country whose football team bore the brunt of an over expectant public when it failed to qualify for a major tournament from 2002 to 2012. In the absence of competition football many sought to criticise the one player who always gave his all regardless of the circumstances. Armchair analysts or barstoolers on their throne would soon find themselves out of their depth when the facts above are outlined to them. There were many times he didn’t score, or missed chances. Yet he never let criticism or the disappointment of missed opportunities get him down. He never lacked self-belief in his ability to perform. Amongst the hardcore Irish football support, there was a common consensus that Robbie Keane was underappreciated during his career. He wasn’t universally appreciated as other sporting icons of his time like Brian O’Driscoll for example. No slight on O’Driscoll, another immensely talented and successful athlete in his own right, but it always stumped me how he had the nation in the palm of his hand, while the other half of that nation would rather close their fist at the mention of Keane. Of the criticism, Keane has said “That's football. You are going to get criticised sometimes, but all I did was want to do my best for the country, and I think I have done that”. The facts speak for themselves. In the years to come, I firmly believe many will come to regret under appreciating him while he was playing.
His club career may not have mirrored the same heights many expected him to achieve. Aside from brief spells at Inter Milan and 10 years later at Liverpool, he didn’t play for a marquee European club. The large majority of his club career was spent at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored 121 goals in 291 matches, winning the League Cup in 2008. Spells at Wolves, Coventry, Leeds, and loan spells at West Ham and Aston Villa made him a journeyman in football terms. However, the journeyman tag would be an unfair one to label on Keane. For a start, he’d be an expensive one. He has accounted for £70.3 million in transfer fees, with his move from Wolves to Coventry in 1999 making him the most expensive teenager in British football at the time. Overall, as of the 7th August 2016, he has played 715 games across 10 clubs, scoring 314 goals in his club career. Those are serious statistics and more than the average journeyman footballer would experience. He was derided across social media for stating it was a dream come true to play for certain clubs he signed for. Maybe it does sound silly but for those who routinely brought it up, they could only dream of living in Hollywood and playing football for a living right now, never mind have the career that preceded it. And at the LA Galaxy, he has continued to flourish with 101 goals in 157 games. Just last month he was named the greatest signing in Major League Soccer history. A quick google of marquee signings in that League and you’ll see some of the talent he was up against. David Beckham and Steven Gerrard were one of the many former colleagues who praised Keane upon announcement of his international retirement, as well as many of his former managers.
In the last week, I’ve been looking back at the key moments of his Irish career and where was I watching them…
His debut?
Watching the highlights on RTE News, oblivious to the career that would follow.
His first goal in Lansdowne Road?
In the old Main Stand with my father. It may have been a testimonial and it may have been offside but it was the start of something special.
When he scored against Turkey?
Jumping up and down in my living room. The Turks would teach me the painful meaning of an away goal minutes later.
Ibaraki?
In the school library watching it. Some of us were sitting on a bench at the back to see over the people ahead of us. My friend beside me had a broken arm and couldn’t join in with the celebrations, I nearly fell over him and broke his other arm in the celebrations.
That last minute penalty against Spain?
In my bedroom, unable to look.
His first game as captain? Watching the highlights over and over on Sky Sports News, seeing the new captain beam with joy upon scoring that night.
When he scored against France?
In a pub in Letterkenny. As the ball was cut back to Keane, some clown stood up on his chair and blocked my view, I switched to another screen and saw slot the ball into the corner, giving everyone in Ireland renewed hope.
When he scored twice against Estonia to send us to Euro 2012?In my apartment in Letterkenny, drinking cans and triumphantly proclaiming I’d be going to the Euros, which I did.
His last competitive goal for Ireland?
In the stands in Faro
The last competitive game he played for Ireland?
behind the goal in Bordeaux, where he saluted the fans who travelled at full-time, like he did every time he played.
It won’t be the last time I’ll see him. He’ll be lining out for the 146th and final time against Oman tonight. Hardly a marquee name worthy of your final game but a good chance to hopefully add to his 67 international goals. He will continue to lead the line for LA Galaxy in the years to come and is currently doing his coaching badges. I fully expect to see him involved in a management capacity in the future, if not in the stands supporting the Boys In Green. On the pitch however, we will never see anyone like him again play up front for Ireland. Never. And while that breaks my heart, I will be forever grateful I witnessed someone like him play for Ireland.
