Robbie Keane

[ArdeeBhoy]

Why would he??

[punkrocket]

Kashima 02 & Bari 09, best moments following Ireland for me by quite a distance. I don't care who he plays for/ sits on the bench for, he's always been consistent in the shirt which matters most.
Good burritos over there.

[Wolfie]

I know i think i said that earlier, or on a different forum, its a working holiday visa. Many would give their right arm...............

I reckon Shay Given should think long and hard about any future moves to the MLS so.


I can't believe nobody's mentioned the rumours that have been circulating in the past few months about his injunctions and his supposed off-field activities. Claudine has specifically mentioned moving to LA several times over the past couple of years. 2+2 etc.


Suggestions he's been caught Off-side off the pitch??? I wonder did he wave his hands in the air and point his finger when the missus confronted him???

Joking aside, best of luck to him. He's been brilliant for us and he'll be sorely missed when he finally retires.

Yugoslavia at home, that goal against Iran in the play off that gave us the edge, Germany in the World Cup, Italy away, that header against Holland in the WC qualifier, converted the pressure kick against Spain in the WC.......................... I can go on and on.

His contribution to the Irish team over the years is immeasurable. Its not just about goals scored.

[legendz]

Over 50 goals for his country, what more needs to be said? Superb record. And he has scored when it mattered in the World Cup and brought us back into the play-off against France.

[Metrostars]

There is a lot of shyte being talked about in here about MLS as usual. Self proclaimed experts who don't even watch the games in the league. Also, the begrudgery here shamful. Record Irish goalscorer and that's not enough for some people.

Not that's off my chest, here are some of my thought. It is not a given that Keane will score buckets of goals here. In fact most foreign stars struggle. In recent years the likes of Freddie Ljungberg, Claudio Lopez, Denilson have come and gone having failed to get to grips with physicality, travel and yes even shyte refereeing. It has taken Beckham a few years to finally start playing the way everyone expected him to when he came here first. He was poor when he started but this year he is playing much better. Henry struggled last year when he arrived in New York but this year is the top scorer in the league. Travel is a big drag on players e.g. coast to coast to coast to coast trips in successive weeks is not uncommon. Then there is the heat in places like Texas and the humidity when playing in the summer in places like New York. Remember how our team struggled with the heat in 94? I'm sure Keane will get acclimated over time but I wouldn't be surprised if he finds it hard to adapt at the beginning.

As for LA the team, top of the league and they're looking solid. Edson Buddle was their main striker the last few years but he left after last season to play in Germany and they took Juan Pablo Angel who was a free agent when NY didn't renew after last season. JPA was a great player for NY but last year it was clear he lost a step or ten. Arena took a punt on him but struggled. TBH I'm surprised that another MLS team has taken him off LA such has his stock has fallen over the last 15 months. So Keane will automatically be in the first XI for LA. He has the potential of scoring buckets if he can get over the issues in MLS I already mentioned with Beckham pinging in balls from the right and Donovan supporting him and Juninho(a young Brazilian whos quite good but not that Juninho). Donovan's position changes from game to game, sometimes he's on the left, other times he plays more centrally. The other forward they have is Chad Barrett, a clunkly centre forward type.

Also, LA is also involved in the Concacaf Champions League that starts for them tonight so that will mean trips to Central American and the Caribbean.

[Maroon 7]

On the surface a strange move for Robbie but then again maybe not so strange. Robbie was never going to drop down the divisions in England. You always got the impression he felt playing in the championship would be beneath him somehow. A lower half Premier League team would still probably have taken a chance on him but would he really fancy 2 or 3 seasons playing for a side who's main aim was to avoid relegation. I don't think so to be honest. This way he gets to live in LA and still be the main man in a team (well after Beckham and Donovan).

[shakermaker1982]

Good luck to him. He'll earn plenty of $ and be hanging out with beauties left, right and centre.

I still think he could have done a job for Everton, Fulham or Villa. Everton are crying out for a striker. Beckham made the England games easy enough so why not Keano?

[Sullivinho]

I can't muster much enthusiasm for Robbie's latest move but I wouldn't begrudge him in the least. So many 'punch the air' (and the occasional, unfortunate bystander) moments served by that guy and I'm sure, a few more to come. All the best to him.

[rebelmusic]

Dunno why people are moaning. He hasn't really even been playing the last 2 years at club level and has been doing the job for us. Now at least he'll be playing week in and week out. Put it this way, it's better than his tottenham predicament where, despite never really playing, he was banging them in for us. Noone here should be giving out about Robbie, he's served his country more than most football players ever have.

[IsMiseSean]

Yugoslavia at home, that goal against Iran in the play off that gave us the edge, Germany in the World Cup, Italy away, that header against Holland in the WC qualifier, converted the pressure kick against Spain in the WC.......................... I can go on and on.


Great summary, people tend to forget these things to easily.
He has given the football fans on this island plenty of joy (well the majority) and has been a great servant to Ireland.
I has hoping he'd stay in England or even Europe but hopefully he'll get plenty of game time, score plenty of goals and maybe pick up the odd winners medal with LAG.

LAG play Saturday night against San Jose, anyone know if Robbie will make his debut? Deferred coverage of the game is on ESPN at 6.30pm Sunday evening

So for my 500th post I'd like to wish Robbie all the best in the MLS :D

[Spudulika]

I can't agree with the comparison to McGeady. Whilst I have no doubt the MLS is improving, I'm pretty sure it's nowhere near the standard of the EPL, therefore Keane is taking a big step down. McGeady was moving from a poor Scottish league to a very competitive Russian league where there is no doubt his game has come on leaps and bounds.

I was hoping that Keane would move to a lower end EPL club where he would be facing top opposition week in, week out rather than semi-retiring from club level. In saying that, he's been a wonderful servant to Irish football and I've no doubt he will be for the rest of this campaign and hopefully the world cup.

Glad to see you're disagreeing with the acknowledged experts - the hacks. It was the 4th estate who were passing comment on AMcG copping out and dropping down levels, or afraid of a challenge, not I! So long as Irish "fans" cannot see beyond the sky leagues and the faltering train wreck that is the sky premier, our footballers are not going to improve and our national team will continue to produce clones of what the other Italian manger has to work with. Robbie's getting a good deal, he's young enough to get a couple of years there while enjoying loan spells in Europe (hopefully not back in dross like the sky leagues), he'll play with and against different types of opponents, get lots of match practice and have new shirts on sale in Lifestyle.

[Brendan 82]

I think the Galaxy are a good club for Keane. He clearly wasn't really waned in the Premiership, a guy like Shane Long is more desirable to managers. I also think that Keane felt the Championship was a bit below him. He really cares about Ireland the most I believe so I don't think it really matters that much where he plays, as long as the standard is sufficient. The MLS is Ok, and the Galaxy are decent. The travel on the other hand, I don't know.

When he hit it past Kahn, ohhhh

[an_ceannaire]

Good luck to him. He'll earn plenty of $ and be hanging out with beauties left, right and centre.

I still think he could have done a job for Everton, Fulham or Villa. Everton are crying out for a striker. Beckham made the England games easy enough so why not Keano?

So he should just have turned at Goodison and said " I will do ye a favour and play for ye" ........?
Moyes never wanted him atall and a look on any Everton Forum will tell you when he was linked with them they wanted nothing to do with him

[Crosby87]

ceanniare if we went off what fans wanted in forums England would be ablaze and all the windows would be smashed. Oh wait.

[IsMiseSean]

Keane defies critics with LA move (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature/_/id/944469/keane-defies-critics-with-la-move?cc=5739)

Interesting take on the transfer....

[gustavo]

Great article IMO.

[AlaskaFox]

Best I've read. Very well written.

[irishfan86]

The major issue for me is the travel, the standard is better than SPL, no problem. Had he gone to Celtic it would have been a lesser challenge but probably treated warmly enough in Ireland.

Doubt this negative backlash will ruin his desire to play for Ireland but at some point I could forgive him for retiring after the Euros, but I hope he's stronger mentally than that and plays as long as he can contribute.

[AlaskaFox]

US Gossip site TMZ with the real question on everyone's lips:
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/la-galaxy-claudine-keane-victoria-beckham-posh-bikini-david-beckham-picture-who-would-you-rather/#.TkvgHKjXTQO

:D

[BonnieShels]

Very good article and it really puts into perspective the idiocy of the hacks in this country.



"The inescapable conclusion is that Keane's ego has taken the easy option," wrote McDonnell. "The alternative to a stiff challenge in a physical, unforgiving environment, is a league where he is still young enough to be a rising star.


"Most footballers have an ego. It's just that Keane's is more apparent. The suspicion is that, in addition to the money and lifestyle, regaining the feeling of being top dog appealed more than the grind of a season in the second tier of English football.

What does that actually mean? Oh Keane you idiot, how dare you accept a lucrative contract with the biggest club in the US where you will score goals, play with decent players, and likely be involved in championship play-offs, play in the Concacaf Champions League all the while increasing your profile instead of mulling away with a mediocre club, like Leicester, in a mediocre albeit competitive league or relegation fodder like Blackburn. Idiot. Don't you know the English game us the only game in town. Idiot.



"He could become a darling to the Galaxy faithful, but he is miles away from the scrutiny that determines a top-level footballer. Fun, sun and easy money. That's the American dream alright."

How does the scrutiny determine your ability as a top-level footballer? Does 13 years at the top of the game not matter anymore?



"When word filtered through that Keane might be bound for David Beckham's LA Galaxy, the temptation was towards unkindness, to suggest that Tinseltown was the inevitable destination for the lead actor in Ireland's greatest sporting farce," wrote the always colourful Curtis.


"If he doesn't get his dive right the first time, the director can always scream 'cut' and 'take two'! And where better than Los Angeles to apply some Botox to a career that has long been sagging, that now looks wrinkled beyond repair? Let's move beyond the spin: Keane's club career has been a story of lucrative failure.


"Shane Long and Kevin Doyle, Jonathan Walters and Simon Cox - heaven help us, even Leon Best - will play in the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, Robbie will be eight thousand miles away in the land of the free and the home of the insignificant, coining it as he hangs out with the Beckhams, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Hollywood being Hollywood, they might make a movie out of it: They could call it Tosh and Becks."

We all know that Curtis is a mook but this is incredible altogether.

Needless and mindless vitriol with little insight and again with the bull of the other strikers playing in the EPL? Who cares!

None of them have scored 51 intl goals and none of them are in the top 10 all-time EPL scorers.


I'm delighted with this move. From an Ireland pov its fine. It shouldn't be that big of an issue.
And its better to have him playing than not coupled with the fact that there were no firm offers for his services anywhere in Ingerland.

I'll continue to cheer him to the rafters as should the rest of us. Roll on September!!

Keano! Keano!

[Sullivinho]

US Gossip site TMZ with the real question on everyone's lips:
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/la-galaxy-claudine-keane-victoria-beckham-posh-bikini-david-beckham-picture-who-would-you-rather/#.TkvgHKjXTQO

:D

I didn't have time to vote for Claudine, as my attention was immediately drawn to the 'Batwing Revealed!' exclusive. :nerd:

[geysir]

England is in moral decay, Robbie did well to get out and make it to Carson City.

[The Legend]

if he made it to the actual carson city, (nv) i'd have to stop in and say hello!

[paul_oshea]

What are ye on about Lads, he just transcribed what others had written or quoted other facts.

Then summed up his piece in 3 short columns at the end. That is not a great article. Its simplistic writing expanded to fill a page using quotes from other journos. NOthing more nothing less.

[paul_oshea]

US Gossip site TMZ with the real question on everyone's lips:
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/la-galaxy-claudine-keane-victoria-beckham-posh-bikini-david-beckham-picture-who-would-you-rather/#.TkvgHKjXTQO

:D

That just sums it up for me really, that picture on the left. I'm sure she was the driving force.

I hope keane does well, and I'm not saying the standard is worse than the SPL or lower championship, but in the end, it saddens me that he never really demonstrated or reached his full potential in the premiership, a trail of failed transfers in his wake.

[tetsujin1979]

US Gossip site TMZ with the real question on everyone's lips:
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/la-galaxy-claudine-keane-victoria-beckham-posh-bikini-david-beckham-picture-who-would-you-rather/#.TkvgHKjXTQO

:D
I despise TMZ, Perez Hilton and the rest of that shower. A plague upon them all.

[geysir]

Leavin’ you now
- I’ll write ya, ma
Takin’ a putt up to Carson City (CA)

Well, if you hear me howlin’
Wehell, sittin’ pretty
Tasted nitty gritty
Puttin’ on into Carson City (CA)

lyrics courtesy of Don Van Vliet

[jbyrne]

what on earth is this about from curtis?....

"...for the lead actor in Ireland's greatest sporting farce,"

pathetic beyond words

[BonnieShels]

An idiot is that boy Curtis.

[paul_oshea]

Yer bread and butter and you make it your pig iron

[SkStu]

US Gossip site TMZ with the real question on everyone's lips:
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/la-galaxy-claudine-keane-victoria-beckham-posh-bikini-david-beckham-picture-who-would-you-rather/#.TkvgHKjXTQO

:D

Total Votes: 99,974 :loser: thats incredible.

I voted Claudine, naturally.

[paul_oshea]

I voted for david beckham. Even at my age i find it hard to keep a 6 pack as good as his.

[EastTerracer]

Robbie has his visa, will fly to LA tomorrow and is available to play against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.
http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2011/08/la-galaxy-forward-robbie-keane-receives-visa

[theworm2345]

US Gossip site TMZ with the real question on everyone's lips:
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/la-galaxy-claudine-keane-victoria-beckham-posh-bikini-david-beckham-picture-who-would-you-rather/#.TkvgHKjXTQO

:D
Welcome to the MLS Robbie

[geysir]

The Beckham lady has too much paraphernalia whereas Claudine has the naturally aspired, uncluttered look.

[Spudulika]

I like that article, even it it would be slightly biased (from a website linked to the MLS) and also that it is a reaction to the staggeringly ignorant statements from hacks in Ireland. I will never cease saying it as it will always be the case - we are the best little englanders in town. We worship the sky leagues, take our leads from our masters in London and the only thing we don't do is ott public disorder - because we're all too linked in to others who might own shops we're looting.

Good luck to Robbie, you're better off somewhere you'll not have to endure the crap poured out from Irish/English hacks. Though I'd have preferred if you went to a European league.

[donalmcdonagh]

Hats off to all those who have the common decency to wish Robbie all the best and the cop on to realise he is a top professional and his record stands up to scrutiny.
One question, where would we be without Robbie??

The begrudgers are idiotic... Daniel McDonnell & the Evening Herald writer, narrow minded!!! .......Roy Curtis (absolute gobsh!te) he reads like a B grade leaving cert essay, hence I would never buy his rag EVER again!! "Keane's club career has been a story of lucrative failure"...........what absolute disrespectful Sh!te. The negativity among Irish 'supporters' is unbelievable.

Robbie is a legend, and I have nothing but admiration for him and his mental strength aswell, he has had bad times for inter...ireland...Liverpool and Spurs and keeps scoring...... Robbie will be missed when he retires.
I think Robbies background make his achievements even more staggering...
I reckon he will score goals for fun in the MLS, he is a goal scorer, a fox in the box, he needs players like beckham and donovan to support his play, he is an extremely intelligent striker, definately one of the top.

[jbyrne]

The begrudgers are idiotic... Daniel McDonnell & the Evening Herald writer, narrow minded!!! .......Roy Curtis (absolute gobsh!te) he reads like a B grade leaving cert essay, hence I would never buy his rag EVER again!! "Keane's club career has been a story of lucrative failure"...........what absolute disrespectful Sh!te. The negativity among Irish 'supporters' is unbelievable.


problem is that all the event junkies and barstoolers love reading the articles that constantly put our team and players down. its what our "sportsmad" people want to read about our team unfortunately.

[elroy]

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/deadrubber/2011/08/16/keane-has-earned-the-right-to-go-where-he-wants/#more-672

Good article and hard to argue with its content.

I wish RK well in LA. I wouldve preferred him to stay closer to home, but the reality is as long as he continues to produce for Ireland, I wont care where he is. The questions for us now are: will the travel seriously affect his performances for us? And will this be a factor in he calling it a day with Ireland at the end of this campaign? I for one hope he stays around for the Brazil 2014 campaign.

[Eminence Grise]

Good luck to Robbie in LA: we spend long enough moaning that Irish players don’t test themselves outside England or Scotland, but when one has the nerve to go to the US, there are numpties criticising him. Maybe if he’d gone to a city less glamorous than LA, that would have been alright – you know, lots of freezing fog or rednecks to remind him that he’s just a mere mortal and shouldn’t be getting ideas above his station. A large ex-pat community of begrudgers would be good for that too.

MLS seems to be improving in quality, and it’s something different to the blood and thunder of the British game. It might just suit Robbie as he moves into the final phase of his career. A different style of play, not as physically demanding as British football, might help him with recovery time, and keep him fit but not burned out for international games.

Now that there are two Irish internationals in the MLS, might it also make second and third generation American-Irish more aware of opportunities at underage and, maybe, senior level? (Members of the Lapira clan: we have your application on file, there is no need to reapply...)

[Kingdom]

I voted for david beckham. Even at my age i find it hard to keep a 6 pack as good as his.

Aye, but to be fair Paul, he's got millions, nutritionists, dieticians, personal trainers et al, whereas you're from Roscommon.

[jbyrne]

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/deadrubber/2011/08/16/keane-has-earned-the-right-to-go-where-he-wants/#more-672

Good article and hard to argue with its content.

I wish RK well in LA. I wouldve preferred him to stay closer to home, but the reality is as long as he continues to produce for Ireland, I wont care where he is. The questions for us now are: will the travel seriously affect his performances for us? And will this be a factor in he calling it a day with Ireland at the end of this campaign? I for one hope he stays around for the Brazil 2014 campaign.

great article and all very true. yet you still get this tripe in the comments below...

"His greatest talent was to be the best of his time in a small country, when there was an explosion in International football due to the break up of the Soviet Union, and a few tinpot Duchies desciding that it would be good to have an international football team"

so why are there not a glut of countries with a 50+ goals striker?

[Noelys Guitar]

Going to go to the Red Bulls v LA game on the 28th. Tickets selling at $45 to $88 on stubhub for those considering going along.

[Sullivinho]

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/deadrubber/2011/08/16/keane-has-earned-the-right-to-go-where-he-wants/#more-672

Good article and hard to argue with its content.

Argue? I couldn't help but agree with every word. Great article.


great article and all very true. yet you still get this tripe in the comments below...

"His greatest talent was to be the best of his time in a small country, when there was an explosion in International football due to the break up of the Soviet Union, and a few tinpot Duchies desciding that it would be good to have an international football team"

so why are there not a glut of countries with a 50+ goals striker?

'SpurredoninDublin'

I cringed so hard my vision momentarily left me.

It took until the second comment before a 'boyhood dream' joke was unleashed too. The repetitious thud you hear is the sound of commenter #1 kicking themselves at an opportunity lost.

[punkrocket]

I think that most Ireland fans are sensible enough. When Robbie next plays in September everyone at the game will get behind him

[tetsujin1979]

from the official LA Galaxy twitter feed: https://twitter.com/#!/LAGalaxy/status/104286666520408065/photo/1

Fans are here at LAX ready to #WelcomeRobbieKeane! @ACBrigade click the link for the pic
also, from https://twitter.com/#!/LAGalaxy/status/104294782955819008

#lagalaxy fans chanting "we all dream of a team of Robbie Keane, a team of Robbie Keane, a team of Robbie Keane...":D
(last one I promise)
from https://twitter.com/#!/LAGalaxy/status/104296082435096576

Robbie Keane gets his official @acbrigade scarf, poses for photos and signs autographs for fans
https://twitpic.com/show/large/683w7h

[EastTerracer]

The messiah has arrived... looking a bit bemused!
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298314_258753437476668_109228472429166_995904_4975 434_n.jpg

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/376410659.jpg

[EastTerracer]

Robbie's official unveiling at the LA Galaxy is tomorrow at 8.30pm Irish time. It is being broadcast live here http://www.lagalaxy.com/keane

I know these are usually flag-waving, badge-kissing events but someone is bound to ask Robbie why he chose the MLS.

[irishfan86]

Here's a video of his arrival...very annoying chanting...wonder if he has any regrets already! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Tb_LOAl7c

[Junior]

haha - tuneful bunch alright!