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Keane celebrates his famous equaliser against Germany at the 2002 World Cup. INPHO

'Robbie is one of Ireland's finest ever players. It will take some time to get over his absence'

The Dubliner steps away after 18 years in a green jersey.

MARTIN O’NEILL HAS hailed Robbie Keane as one of Ireland’s ‘finest ever players’ after the striker this afternoon announced his decision to retire from international football.

The 36-year-old will play his final game in green against Oman in next Wednesday’s international friendly at the Aviva Stadium, bringing the curtain down an a 18-year career.

With 67 goals from 145 appearances, Keane will step away as the country’s record caps and goalscorer having made his senior debut against Czech Republic back in March 1998.

“Robbie’s appearances and goals for Ireland speak for themselves,” O’Neill said.

“He is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s finest ever players and I do not see his international goal record being beaten for a very long time, if ever. It will take us some time to get over his absence.”

The Dubliner appeared in three major international tournaments and scored in 15 consecutive years to place him 15th on the list of all-time international goalscorers.

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Ignore the haters, Robbie Keane is Ireland’s best-ever striker

The end of an era! Robbie Keane announces retirement from international football

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