- Ben Blake reports from the Stade de France, Saint-Denis
ROBBIE KEANE IS confident that he will find the back of the net at Euro 2016 — if handed the opportunity to play.
At 35, the Ireland captain, whose only goals in the last qualifying campaign came against Gibraltar, is no long first choice at international level and was doubtful coming into the finals after picking up a calf injury a fortnight ago.
However, having returned to training this week, the country’s all-time record goalscorer has declared himself fully fit.
“I’ve trained the last five days or six days,” Keane said in today’s pre-match press conference. “I feel fine and I’m ready for selection.
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“There’s no question about it (that I can still score goals). Just because I’ve been around for a long, long time… There are other players in this tournament who are the same age as me, but maybe started their international career a little bit later.
There are goals left in me and there is no question about that. I’ve been doing it since I was 17 years of age and I’ve continued to do it consistently. I’m confident in my ability when given the opportunity.
“First and foremost, I do my best for the team but if there is a chance there, hopefully I’ll take it.”
Ireland stretch at the venue for tomorrow's game. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
On the eve of their opening Euro 2016 game, optimism is high that Ireland can make an impact in France. Four years ago, there was a similar positivity around the camp but the campaign ended in disaster as Croatia, Spain and Italy all dished out defeats.
“We had a great spirit four years ago,” remembers Keane. “We played against three of the best teams at that time and we didn’t win a game.
“As a group of players, we went into the game thinking that we had a good chance to get out of the group.
“Team spirit has always been high but we played against some top, top teams. That’s the way football goes sometimes. Are we ready now? Of course we are.
It has been a great few weeks training, it has gone as well as it could and thankfully everyone is getting back from injury and we’re ready to go.”
Keane also revealed his admiration his opposite number — Sweden skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“He’s a top, top player,” he LA Galaxy striker said. “He has been doing it a long, long time. He seems to be getting better and better. He scores goals wherever he has been and he has won league titles.
“He’s certainly a player I admire from a distance. I’ve played against him numerous times and he’s a player we have to watch.
“But there are others in the team that can cause damage so we have to be wary of that.”
'I’ve been doing it since I was 17' - Keane certain he can score at Euro 2016 if given the chance
- Ben Blake reports from the Stade de France, Saint-Denis
ROBBIE KEANE IS confident that he will find the back of the net at Euro 2016 — if handed the opportunity to play.
At 35, the Ireland captain, whose only goals in the last qualifying campaign came against Gibraltar, is no long first choice at international level and was doubtful coming into the finals after picking up a calf injury a fortnight ago.
However, having returned to training this week, the country’s all-time record goalscorer has declared himself fully fit.
“I’ve trained the last five days or six days,” Keane said in today’s pre-match press conference. “I feel fine and I’m ready for selection.
“There’s no question about it (that I can still score goals). Just because I’ve been around for a long, long time… There are other players in this tournament who are the same age as me, but maybe started their international career a little bit later.
“First and foremost, I do my best for the team but if there is a chance there, hopefully I’ll take it.”
On the eve of their opening Euro 2016 game, optimism is high that Ireland can make an impact in France. Four years ago, there was a similar positivity around the camp but the campaign ended in disaster as Croatia, Spain and Italy all dished out defeats.
“We had a great spirit four years ago,” remembers Keane. “We played against three of the best teams at that time and we didn’t win a game.
“As a group of players, we went into the game thinking that we had a good chance to get out of the group.
“Team spirit has always been high but we played against some top, top teams. That’s the way football goes sometimes. Are we ready now? Of course we are.
Keane also revealed his admiration his opposite number — Sweden skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“He’s a top, top player,” he LA Galaxy striker said. “He has been doing it a long, long time. He seems to be getting better and better. He scores goals wherever he has been and he has won league titles.
“He’s certainly a player I admire from a distance. I’ve played against him numerous times and he’s a player we have to watch.
“But there are others in the team that can cause damage so we have to be wary of that.”
Listen to The42′s Ben Blake on the 98FM Euro 2016 Daily podcast throughout the tournament
Zlatan: ‘The Ireland defenders lack pace? I’m also slow so it doesn’t matter’
Jon Walters: How a football league journeyman became pivotal for Ireland
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Euro 2016 life in the old dog yet Robbie Keane Ireland Republic Sweden