ROBBIE KEANE IS not guaranteed to start against Scotland, with Roy Keane admitting the striker’s involvement is one of many “calculated decisions” the management still face.
Ireland’s record goalscorer has been struggling with a groin injury but played 90 minutes for LA Galaxy last weekend.
That was his first club start in four weeks but there are still question marks over his fitness for Saturday’s crunch Euro 2016 qualifier.
Keane trained on Thursday morning as it emerged that Alan Harris, the man who died tragically in Portmarnock on Wednesday, was his cousin.
Roy Keane declined to comment on the player’s personal situation, but the Ireland assistant has concerns about Keane’s lack of match sharpness.
He said: “I think he’s had one full game in the last couple of months which is not ideal but when the players turn up, there will always be issues with one or two lads carrying knocks or getting up to speed with their fitness.
“Robbie’s obviously trained today. It’s not ideal but what can you do? There’s not much you can do about it. His fitness is fine in terms of his injury but he’s lacking match fitness.
“I think there’s a lot of key decisions to be made but that’s what we’re here for,” he added. “That’s obviously what the manager is paid for.
People keep talking the game up. It’s a big game, we know that, but with Martin’s experience, hopefully we pick the right starting XI.
“There’s lots of stuff to look at — players carrying injuries, Robbie’s lack of match sharpness — so it’s just about making the calculated decision hopefully that we’ll get right.”
Keane, who has scored 65 goals in 139 Ireland caps, was the surprise omission when he was left out of the Ireland team which lost in Glasgow last November.
Roy Keane insisted that his namesake had not been ‘dropped’ for the 1-0 defeat, and backed him to deliver if he features this weekend.
“I wouldn’t say he was dropped. No no, I wouldn’t use that word.
“Horses for courses, you play certain players for certain days. I wouldn’t say Robbie was dropped.
I think if Robbie starts he won’t let us down. Whoever starts won’t let us down.
“We’ve got a lot of good competition. Murph’s (Daryl Murphy) doing well, (David) McGoldrick, (Shane) Long — it’s good competition up front.
“We’ll see over the next 24 hours.”
Well seeing as they last won the english leauge some 28 years ago and have a tendency to sell there best strikers, why wouldn’t I think that,
@Jonathan Byrne:
I have never seen so much hype about a team who have won nothing ,are 20 points off winning their league, have again sold their best player mid season , and who all other teams in the last 4 of a cup competition wanted desperately to draw. No league title for nearly 30 years and just one 1 trophy in ten years same as the likes of Wigan. Am i missing something ??
@Joe O’riordan: missing nothing absolutely spot on
@Joe O’riordan: Missing something? Don’t think so, unless its your MU jersey and scarf.
@Joe O’riordan: Coutinho their best player? Liverpool are better without him
@Joe O’riordan: Liverpool didn’t sell Salah mid season?
Who knows next year might be there year they win the premier league…….. Pfffft. Salah will playing for real Madrid next aswell.
@Jonathan Byrne: best of luck with that
@Jonathan Byrne: haha nice try, at least the pool have a player that Real or Barca would want!
@Jonathan Byrne: Jeez those grapes are very sour…
@Jonathan Byrne: “Somebody please give me attention” – The Comment
@seancreaven13: I’m just laying down some facts, fair play to getting to the semis of the champions leauge this year, but I don’t think its sour grapes if what I say is true.
But but but didn’t they win the finishing above Utd trophy last year !!!
@powerfix: doesn’t carry the same prestige anymore.
@Mick Power: ou snap!
@Mick Power: aah you know it does Mick
@Carl Johnson: ou Marcus!
Well what seems to be emerging now is defending is much better, there was no evidence until now. If they can keep best players, add GK/defensive cover and with Keita coming in they will make PL challenge. I was surprised MU slipped yesterday, it seems they struggle more than LFC in breaking defensives down. With JM near 3 years he has to challenge next year but somehow I don’t see it. Yes they defend well but have ordinary attack.
For me the top 3 teams next year will be MC, Tot & LFC. MU should be there but JM would need dynamic players and changes his approach. I don’t see that happening. If they back him in transfer market he’ll get a final go using his methods. While he maintains its not that long ago he won PL I think football is now being dominated by more attacking dynamic teams.
@Nick Leone: so coming to the end of your second season is near 3 years ???? Pass the dutchie round will ya