Soccer

Keane is more than ready to exploit Germany's 'flaws'

Robbie Keane at a press conference with Ireland manager Martin O'Neill on Wednesday<br />Picture: PA&nbsp;
Robbie Keane at a press conference with Ireland manager Martin O'Neill on Wednesday
Picture: PA 
Robbie Keane at a press conference with Ireland manager Martin O'Neill on Wednesday
Picture: PA 

European Championship Qualifying Group D: Republic of Ireland v Germany (Thursday, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm)

HE MIGHTN'T make his starting line-up for Thursday’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany – but it didn’t stop Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill paying a glowing tribute to Robbie Keane.

Given the last few “hectic” days, it would be a major surprise if Ireland’s record goal-scorer gets the nod to face the world champions. After scoring for LA Galaxy last Sunday, Keane’s wife gave birth to their second child 24 hours later before he boarded a 10-hour flight to Dublin.

“As you can imagine, it’s been fairly hectic,” said Keane.

“I played in Seattle on Sunday and then my wife had a baby at seven o’clock on Monday evening. I left the hospital at nine o’clock - a few hours in hospital - so you can imagine that went down well! It’s been a hectic few days, but it’s obviously very joyful to have a new baby. Now, I’m here with the Irish team and I’m fully focused on being here. I’m ready to go. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”

Scorer of 67 international goals, Keane bagged a brace in last month’s qualifier against Gibraltar, but was withdrawn at half-time of Ireland's 1-0 win over Georgia a few days later. Southampton striker Shane Long seems favourite to replace Keane in the Irish attack after impressing as a second half substitute against Gibraltar and Georgia.

Unlike his predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni, O'Neill never reveals his starting XI in his pre-match press conference but had warm words for Keane's patriotism.

"Robbie’s made a journey across half the world to come and play in this match, at his particular age now," said the Republic manager.

"He’s not 26 or 27. He’s in the latter stages of his career; he still wants to don the shirt, still wants to be part of a situation here where we can try and qualify for one competition which might be a swansong for him. That’s there in abundance. He’s full of energy and always comes here in really good spirits.”

While Long has the energy and pace to unsettle Mats Hummels and company, Keane expressed his desire to play against the German defence that he believes is susceptible to over-playing.

“When you’ve got a team that likes to play, likes to keep possession of the ball, sometimes they can get a little bit carried away," said the 35-year-old Dubliner.

"They’re good players, no question about that. But every defender sometimes takes a chance and, certainly as a striker, you should be on your toes and ready in case an opportunity presents itself, just like at the weekend was a prime example. The [Seattle] defender tried to play a square ball and I nicked it and scored, so whoever’s going to be playing tomorrow night that’s something to think about.”

Germany hammered the Republic 6-1 on their last visit to Dublin in October 2012, with Marco Reus (2), Toni Kroos (2), Mesut Ozil (pen) and the now retired Miroslav Klose getting the goals. Keane was injured for that 2014 World Cup Qualifier, but says nobody in the Irish squad will be thinking about that soul-destroying experience, and added there were a “few flaws” in the world champions.

“We’ve got a different management and new players coming in, so I’m certainly not one of those players that looks back,” he said.

“We have a squad of players who are quite capable of getting something against the Germans. They’re a fantastic team but they certainly have a few flaws in their team. Players aren’t thinking about what happened the last time. We’re fully focused on this game and nothing else.

“We’re here to win and if we get a result tomorrow night it will be great for everybody.”