Robbie Keane

[drummerboy]

Hats off to Robbie Keane. What an ambassador for Irish football but also what a fantastic goal poacher. Well done Robert.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Find someone who can find him, low, from the wings consistently, and you've got a role for Robbie that can last a while yet. David Forde is not cut out to be his supplier.

[pineapple stu]

Stern John on 70 is more within range I think.

That's the same mark we were talking about in the pub.

Two more campaigns tops? Add in a couple of silly friendlies against lower-tier teams (the ones we can afford to play, basically), and it's not unrealistic.

But 70 international goals! Even 59 is incredible.

Legend, as Bonnie said.

[DeLorean]

The records he's going to set are Ryan Giggs-esque in terms of being potentially unbreakable. Don't think aul Giggsy was nearly as bothered about his country though.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Keane was given the captaincy too early in his international career but he has grown into the role and has grown from petulant twenty-something year-old into a very mature leader with a presence on the pitch. Very valuable too given the profile of the current squad. Much credit to him. He looks fitter than I have ever seen him too. He's in great condition.

[DannyInvincible]

Just to re-iterate what others are saying in relation to Robbie; a top professional and Irish legend.

[ArdeeBhoy]

We are really really really going to miss him when he goes.

Though incidentally some of the newspaper pundits were calling for him to be omitted from the next two 'big' games and for Wes to play up top with Long instead.

Some sense in saying that, but doubtful Trapp will bother...

[jbyrne]

We are really really really going to miss him when he goes.

Though incidentally some of the newspaper pundits were calling for him to be omitted from the next two 'big' games and for Wes to play up top with Long instead.

Some sense in saying that, but doubtful Trapp will bother...

keane 5 goals from the last two games. In one of those games long missed two excellent 1 v1 opportunities. enough said about who should be first choice although i think long should play too.

since stephen elliot (who, you may ask) came on the scene the papers have being calling for Keane to be dropped. countless goals and caps later Keane is still going strong. our media are beyond a joke at this stage

[ArdeeBhoy]

Tbf, Robbie now is not quite the same player as when in competition with Elliott.
But he does have a very good record, albeit v. the 'lesser' teams.

[jbyrne]

Tbf, Robbie now is not quite the same player as when in competition with Elliott.
But he does have a very good record, albeit v. the 'lesser' teams.

goals against spain, germany, italy, france, holland, denmark, yugoslavia, croatia, sweden, chech republic, and about 5 play off goals would suggest otherwise

[Supreme feet]

I'm a big Keane fan, but the question is: how do we accommodate all of Keane, Long, Hoolahan and McCarthy - plus two wide players - without setting ourselves up to be over-run in midfield against better teams?

[DeLorean]

goals against spain, germany, italy, france, holland, denmark, yugoslavia, croatia, sweden, chech republic, and about 5 play off goals would suggest otherwise

And a lot of those goals were when they were most badly needed, particularly the late equalisers against Germany, Spain and Italy.

There was also a season in England when he scored against all of the 'Big 4' as it was known at the time, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. Pretty sure it was the season Spurs won the Carling Cup.

Scoring against the best was never a problem for him to be fair.

[OwlsFan]

Tbf, Robbie now is not quite the same player as when in competition with Elliott.
But he does have a very good record, albeit v. the 'lesser' teams.

Strangely enough you have to score goals against lesser teams as well to beat them. I just wonder if Robbie hadn't been playing against the Faroe Islands, who would have scored. It was interesting that for the cross from Sammon both Keane and Walters made the lunge for the ball but it was Robbie who timed his to perfection. I still find it bizarre that time has to be spent defending our greatest goal scorer of all time.

I was interested to hear Strachan talking about Scotland following their win in Croatia. "Too much time is spent talking about systems. It's about the players and their attitudes...".

Keane has to start no matter who we are playing.

[BonnieShels]

Has anyone ever taken out all the goals he's scored and all the caps he's won against lesser opposition for sh!ts an giggles?

I heard a row being waged about him in the pub on Saturday not being that good. I respectfully declined to partake in such idiocy.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, I should have said 'often'...

Anyway Paul Rowan was someone who made a logical case for RK being dropped.
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/...cle1271182.ece

Much as I love him, to beat either Sweden or Austria, we're going to have to do something dramatically different (or better) than in recent games and starting with Hoolahan/Long might be the best option, with Robbie the best alternative in the last half-hour?

Isn't it about 4 years since he scored v.any 'decent' ​teams?

[BonnieShels]

Why do we have to drop him though?

He played quite well in that role off the front man v Sweden.

I'd be of the view that starting him and bringing Hoolahan on later on could be the way to go, if that's the sort of formation we play with.

[paul_oshea]

The thing is why can't we start with holohan and look to go ahead and then change things in the second half if/when we need to be more defensive, trap seems to keep it consistent and tight from the off, so his formation and tactics are rigid. But if we chase a goal first can't he do what Hughton does and just take hoolahan off?

[BonnieShels]

The thing is why can't we start with holohan and look to go ahead and then change things in the second half if/when we need to be more defensive, trap seems to keep it consistent and tight from the off, so his formation and tactics are rigid. But if we chase a goal first can't he do what Hughton does and just take hoolahan off?

Then that's a reason to play Hoolahan off Keane.

Bring Long on in the second half if need be.

[Charlie Darwin]

The thing is why can't we start with holohan and look to go ahead and then change things in the second half if/when we need to be more defensive, trap seems to keep it consistent and tight from the off, so his formation and tactics are rigid. But if we chase a goal first can't he do what Hughton does and just take hoolahan off?

Because Robbie Keane is a better footballer than Hoolahan.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Only slightly at this stage...