Robbie Keane

[KK77]

Great to be able to pick up the MLS on BT. Hopefully they will continue to cover it.

[kennedmc]

Yeah, maybe he was better off being shafted at Liverpool as things have turned out. I'd take 3 MLS titles over one English League Cup any day, which is all Liverpool have won since he left. He already had one of those anyway.

Well done to keane in the Mls. He went over there with a great attitude compared to others

Even though the standard is poor.

[KK77]

Well done to keane in the Mls. He went over there with a great attitude compared to others

Even though the standard is poor.

Absolutely. Was a few questions when he made the move but as you say has shown a great attitude and is reaping the rewards now. It has been a dream move for him.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

The "walk away" comment is still only a source of confusion for you methinks. In everybody else's book it's pretty clear. Liam Mackey set the remarks in context ages back, not that I needed any explanation of what he pretty obviously meant. Richard Dunne is playing great football, week in week out for QPR these days and looks healthy. He thought it was time to walk away, his words. Nobody doubted he meant to retire gracefully. But it remains a huge bone of contention for you when Keane says that when he is no longer wanted he'll retire gracefully too, no matter how many time he sets it straight.

I respect your opinion and you are probably right but if you just allow me to elaborate where I was coming from one more time.

Keane made those comments aged 31 and fully fit. Dunne made his comments aged 35, on a contract with several contractual stipulations in regard to his fitness. Dunne retired even though it was likely he would have been starting CB with O'Shea because he wanted to focus on his club career (take into account he only has a one year deal and his contract is performance based). That is understandable in my mind. Keane's comments were in relation to losing his place in the team.

What I interpreted from Keane's comments, was that he was getting agitated because there were questions asked if he was going to be a regular starter going forward, Trapattoni publically said he would no longer be an automatic starter if he wasn't getting regular football and he said he would walk away if he lost his place in the team.

Obviously he cleared up that he wasn't going to walk away from the team when queried about it and I just misinterpreted the entire episode. What everyone else believes is correct. I apologise. Now can we move on?

I just think it's a bit different comparing Keane's remarks to Dunne's retirement. They are not intrinsic at all imo.

Liam Mackey was presumably there when the comments were made so I have to defer to him obviously.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Congratulations to Keane btw. Not many Irish players can say they are winning trophies these days.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Don't rain on his parade..

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/robbie-keane-post-match-reaction-1820740-Dec2014/

"I only missed one chance, so, it wasn’t that bad. Jesus, you’re trying to kill me here, we just won the championship and [I] scored the winning goal.

“You’re on about the miss I made.”

[BonnieShels]

Reminds me of Alex Ferguson on the great Denis Irwin:

"At Highbury in one game he had a bad pass back in the last minute and (Dennis) Bergkamp came in and scored.

"After the game the press said 'you must be disappointed in that pass back.'

"I said, 'well, one mistake in 10 years isn't bad.' He was an unbelievable player."

[paul_oshea]

Keane has the ivory coast on his boots, i pointed this out but he never replied.

[Metrostars]

Keane has the ivory coast on his boots, i pointed this out but he never replied.
Not when he's looking down at them :p

Also some nice comments from Arena:

I don’t know whose team it is, but it’s nice to have him on the team. Robbie is been unbelievable since he stepped foot in MLS. I’ve been on record, I’ve said this, it’s very rare that an international player can step into this league, be adjusted instantly and not explain to us how you are supposed to do things and how it’s done elsewhere. I’ve never heard one “this is how they do it at Liverpool or Tottenham.” He’s bought into Major League Soccer from the start. He’s our greatest advocate. It’s been fabulous. Look of what we’ve done since we’ve acquired Robbie. Is it his team? Naw, its Mr. Anchutz team to be honest, but he’s pretty big asset.

[DannyInvincible]

Keane has the ivory coast on his boots, i pointed this out but he never replied.

You have a direct line to Robbie?

[Deckydee]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2866710/Robbie-Keane-subject-QPR-Harry-Redknapp-considers-loan-swoop.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

[Closed Account]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2866710/Robbie-Keane-subject-QPR-Harry-Redknapp-considers-loan-swoop.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
The quotes by Redknapp in that article are from 2012.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2012/12/08/3587496/qpr-boss-harry-redknapp-eyes-mls-loan-deals
"The MLS market is one that we've got to look at," Redknapp told Sky Sports.

"Robbie's a good shout. He probably would be an interesting player.

"I haven't spoken to him yet, no, but he would be an interesting player. He's a good pro and he would be the ideal type to have around for sure because he would give us something."

[DannyInvincible]

I'm pretty sure those quotes attributed to Redknapp are actually from this time 2012 when he was actually considering bringing Robbie over. I'm in work so slightly limited in what I can check due to blocks and general computer slowness, but I read it yesterday that someone with Sky or the BBC (I think) saw Redknapp's words in an article from 2012, forgot to check the date of the article, re-tweeted the supposed interest as if the comments were from the past few days, others latched on to it and so we've got us a nice transfer rumour out of complete thin air. Unless Redknapp has since declared there is a genuine 2014 interest there?...

[Crosby87]

Me need vacation, then me will see.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/09/la-galaxys-robbie-keane-takes-stock-i-need-see-what-next-chapter-me

[Charlie Darwin]

Not when he's looking down at them :p

Also some nice comments from Arena:
Fantastic dig from Arena there at Beckham.

[BonnieShels]

You have a direct line to Robbie?

You should know that all true fans have a direct line to Robbie.

It should be noted that there is no direct bus to LA.

[DannyInvincible]

Me need vacation, then me will see.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/09/la-galaxys-robbie-keane-takes-stock-i-need-see-what-next-chapter-me

Where'll he be "vacationing"?


You should know that all true fans have a direct line to Robbie.

It should be noted that there is no direct bus to LA.

I'm genuinely intrigued as to how Paul got in touch with Robbie as Robbie isn't on Twitter (or any other public forum), as far as I'm aware. Can you put my curiosity to rest, Paul? :)

[DeLorean]

He's on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RobbieKeane) alright. I doubt this is what Paul's referring to though, hope not anyway.

[DannyInvincible]

I'd be stunned if Robbie personally manages that Facebook account himself.

[DeLorean]

Why so?

[tetsujin1979]

Why so?
it's not unheard of for athletes/actors/celebrities to have people oversee their social media accounts for them.
Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears and Hugh Jackman have all been caught out for it in the past

[DeLorean]

Oh I know it's a possibility, but celebrities have Twitter accounts that they use themselves, I just don't see why it would be that shocking if he controlled it himself. A lot of the stuff on it is about his kid as well which makes me think he might be behind it.

[Spudulika]

Most agencies insist (in their contracts) to have joint control on all accounts - if not completely control them personally. Most of the top tennis players have their accouns controlled by "assistants", now even Caro Wozniaki has hers done remotely....after the incident!

[DeLorean]

What about the likes of Joey Barton, Rio Ferdinand, Mario Balotelli?? Surely there's no control there.

[tetsujin1979]

What about the likes of Joey Barton, Rio Ferdinand, Mario Balotelli?? Surely there's no control there.
not all have someone control their accounts, but some do.

[DeLorean]

I know, I was contesting the 'most' reference. Maybe most tennis players do, but it would seem most footballers don't. I'd say it's very unlikely that Keane does the actual uploads and typing, but I reckon he's probably instructing somebody what to put up, judging by the content. Who knows though.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd say MLS owning Keane's contract means they'd have guarantees his social media was vetted in the way Ferdinand's or Barton's wouldn't.

[DannyInvincible]

Oh I know it's a possibility, but celebrities have Twitter accounts that they use themselves, I just don't see why it would be that shocking if he controlled it himself. A lot of the stuff on it is about his kid as well which makes me think he might be behind it.

I think others have explained pretty well why it'd surprise me if Robbie was managing the page himself. I see it's described as "the official page for LA Galaxy & Ireland captain Robbie Keane". It seems like PR and not much else to me. I see where you're coming from and I don't wish to sound cynical because I don't have a problem with it at all, but many of the photos have a promotional feel to them even if they do feature Robert Junior. They're very much staged/managed and it's clear Robbie isn't taking them himself with his own camera/phone. Robbie may have some say in the content published, but he definitely wouldn't use it as a profile in the same way a non-celebrity member of the public would use a private Facebook profile. There are numerous comments left by members of the public making queries and asking questions but there's no interaction with them, as far as I can see, so even if Robbie is involved, it doesn't look like he's busy receiving and responding to personal messages. Not that I have any problem with all of that; it is what it is and anyone looking for a direct line to Robbie to tell him a flag on his boots is wrong-way-round would probably be better off trying elsewhere. :)

[Charlie Darwin]

Not sure what the point of all this social media debate is. Everybody knows YBIG diehards have their own private phone line to the national team captain.

[DeLorean]

Up-to-date comments from Harry and Lambert (http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/undecided-robbie-keane-held-in-high-regard-by-redknapp-and-lambert-1.2034511)


QPR manager Harry Redknapp has played down the prospect of a move for Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane who recently suggested his days at LA Galaxy are numbered.


Keane was named Major League Soccer’s (MLS) MVP last week and went on to win a third championship in four years with the club, scoring an extra-time winner against New England Revolution at the StubHub Centre on Sunday. Afterwards, he said he would take a short break and consider his future, despite having one year to run on his Galaxy contract, and added: “Sometimes change is good for everybody.”


Redknapp, Keane’s former manager Tottenham, insisted QPR have not been in contact with Galaxy, but he was effusive in his praise of the one-time Spurs striker.


“Robbie’s an amazing footballer, one of the best professionals I’ve come across,” he said. “He’s gone over there and been the best player in the league - he hasn’t gone there for a holiday - but he belongs to the LA Galaxy and is the star man of their team and league.


“We’ve never made an enquiry about him. They wouldn’t let him go.”


Redknapp was responding to speculative stories in the media this week that were based on a quote from 2012.


Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert was also drawn on the subject today and he insisted the 34-year-old Keane could still do a job for a Premier League side.
“I am pretty sure he could,” said the Scot. “For one thing Robbie Keane has scored goals wherever he has been. He is still a very good player and a goalscorer. I don’t see it as anything of a problem him playing again in the Premiership.”


Keane had a loan spell at Villa before, when he scored three goals in six games for Alex McLeish’s side in 2012.

[Charlie Darwin]

Robert on the Late Late now.

[DannyInvincible]

Robert on the Late Late now.

Himself and Claudine are ambassadors for next year's Special Olympics in LA. Here's a snippet from the show:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mdVAymJVPg

[Crosby87]

Shamrock Rovers vs LA Galaxy in the most mouth watering friendly in the history of friendliness. The Super Bowl of Soccer. You chaps should try to get tickets right away.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2014/12/23/7338112/robbie-keane-rules-out-premier-league-loan-switch?ICID=HP_HN_HP_RI_0_3

[geysir]

Robbie (the real nr.1) makes a magnanimous gesture to boost Obama's self esteem at the White House reception with the US president.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B83O7sEIgAA7zTT.jpg

[DannyInvincible]

A video clip of Obama's big day:


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2g8y6b_rec2342_sport#from=embediframe

[BonnieShels]

Look at the scummy head on Gary Bettman. GAH!

On that. Robbie totally missed a trick that time he didn't move to Leicester.

[Crosby87]

Ah...this ah.....we....this is ah....omm....the la galaxy....ahh......they have won ah......the ah......

[Nugget]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0218/681253-watch-robbie-keane-interview/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Not sure who the tool was asking questions for the first minute of this (might be O'Donoghue), but to suggest to Keane that Gerrard would be his new captain is massively disrespectful. The attitude of some of the Irish media to Robbie over the years is shocking.

[DannyInvincible]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0218/681253-watch-robbie-keane-interview/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Not sure who the tool was asking questions for the first minute of this (might be O'Donoghue), but to suggest to Keane that Gerrard would be his new captain is massively disrespectful. The attitude of some of the Irish media to Robbie over the years is shocking.

Is it Eamonn Horan?

http://thetvroom.com/images/pool-0/096/main-000-91.jpg

[Metrostars]

FFS, Robbie Keane was captain of LA over Landon Donovan last year, the greatest US player ever. Stupid reporter with a shocking question.

[DeLorean]

Totally agree that it was a very inappropriate question but maybe Horan was just trying to have a little fun with him. If Keane had reacted with a little laugh and said something like "haha he'll have a job taking that off me" it wouldn't have been as tense and awkward. I'm kind of willing to give Horan the benefit of the doubt as he usually seems pretty harmless, if it was TOD I'd be up in arms though :)

[Stuttgart88]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0218/681253-watch-robbie-keane-interview/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Not sure who the tool was asking questions for the first minute of this (might be O'Donoghue), but to suggest to Keane that Gerrard would be his new captain is massively disrespectful. The attitude of some of the Irish media to Robbie over the years is shocking.i think it's more a symptom of our national inferiority complex to anything english in these matters.

But yes, Keane has got some shabby treatment over the years. I think he is a great ambassador for the country, a real national treasure. His move to the USA was inspired.

[Crosby87]

Robbie could see himself in charge of Irish team someday.
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2313374/robbie-keane-i-would-like-to-be-republic-of-ireland-coach-one-day

[OwlsFan]

I was just compiling some stats recently and it amazing the number of international games Robbie has played per club game: The ratio is 4.01 club games per international. In the small sample I checked that Given leads the way with 3.76 while Staunton has 4.71, Paul McGrath 5.75, Roy Keane 7.05, Cunningham 7.35 and Denis Irwin 12.00 ! I suspect the latter's are skewed by early retirement or perhaps Fergusonitis.

And yet some will continue to question Robbie's commitment to the cause.

[DeLorean]

Interesting. I suppose Irwin wasn't selected for us until he was nearly 25. I think the figures you have used are only counting league games so the likes of Roy Keane's would actually be far worse if you counted all the Champions League and cup games he played for United, in particular. Robbie's is actually level with Given if you count all club games, both 4.84:1.

[Macy]

I suspect the latter's are skewed by early retirement or perhaps Fergusonitis.
Or by being dropped/ left out of the team under McCarthy! But yeah, it was probably Fergusonitis... :rolleyes:

[DannyInvincible]

High praise for Robbie: http://balls.ie/football/robbie-keane-paid-high-compliment-sports-illustrated/


The same people who sneer at nearly everything Robbie Keane does sneered when he left for the US three years ago. It’s hard to see how even they could be sneering now.

The general consensus among Sports Illustrated writers Grant Wahl, Brian Straus, Jeff Bradley and Alexander Abnos was that Robbie Keane was the best foreign ‘designated’ signing in the history of the League. Abnos was particularly vociferous on the point.


"While Beckham propelled the league into a new era commercially, it took him a little bit to get his feet under him and play to the best of his ability in the league. Keane has had no such problems, and he doesn’t show any sign of stopping anytime soon. Where other big-name signings have been aloof or disinterested (hello, Lothar Matthaus), Keane has been a consummate professional from Day 1."

Keane has changed the image of the MLS from being that of a nursing home for ageing superstars just looking to make as much money as possible before retiring into a competitive league that should be taken seriously.


"For a league that is constantly seeking to improve its quality on the field, that is the best advertisement of all."

Straus agreed that Keane has been a better player for Galaxy than Beckham was, he argued that Beckham was the most important signing in the history of the League from a commercial point of view.

[tetsujin1979]

Carried on where he left off early this morning with the second goal in a 2-0 win for the galaxy in their first game of the season

Highlights of the game here: http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/03/la-galaxy-open-2015-2-0-win-over-chicago-fire
Nice finish

[DeLorean]

If Keane was a British player with the same international accomplishments he'd be knighted! I'm drawing a blank on a similar recognition over here, Freedom of Tallaght maybe! :p