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Robbie Keane... Donall Farmer/INPHO

No surprise that Robbie's still going - 'He has that strength of character to survive'

Robbie’s former teammate David Bentley is bemused at the notion that Keane divides opinion.

ROBBIE KEANE MAY be hoping to extend his LA Galaxy career by ‘a few more years’ but there should be no surprise at the longevity of the Ireland striker’s career.

The all-time Irish record scorer has the ‘strength of character to survive’, according to his former Spurs teammate David Bentley.

“He’s a great player. A good lad. Always got on with him. He has that strength of character to survive as long as he has. He’ll keep going. He loves what he does. A good lad.

“(He’s) one of the best that’s been. A great player. His movement, his commitment to what he does, his skills levels, he’s fantastic. No matter where’s he gone, he’s a good player.”

Bentley admits to being bemused at the notion that there is debate in Ireland over Keane’s stature.

“But it happens all the time, no matter how good you are, it’s a game where everyone has an opinion. Some people like you and some people won’t. But I think he is (one of the best you played with). Brilliant player.”

Soccer - Carling Cup - Fourth Round - Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - White Hart Lane David Bentley and Robbie Keane in action together for Spurs against Everton in 2009. PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Keane isn’t the only Irish soccer personality that Bentley heaps praise upon.

The 30 year-old former England international may have retired from soccer last year, citing a loss of passion for the sport, but he is keen to credit Liam Brady for his help in shaping his career.

It was Brady who brought Bentley through as a youngster in Arsenal.

“Yeah, Liam Brady was the one who brought me to Arsenal. He was the one that nurtured me up and looked after me. Great guy. Very hands on.

“He took my parents to dinner when I was 12 and talked about my future. He was always the one that nurtured me up. He was talking to me every day. He’s a great guy.”

AIB The Toughest Trade Photocall David Bentley pictured ahead of the 'The Toughest Trade', a documentary commissioned by AIB, which airs on TV3 tonight at 10pm. Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

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Robbie Keane set for ‘a few more years’ with LA Galaxy

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    Mute Damien Leen
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    Mar 17th 2014, 2:25 PM

    Bloody hell, where did that come from!

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    Mute David O'Connor
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    Mar 17th 2014, 2:30 PM

    The well of truth

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    Mute Declan Doyle
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    Mar 17th 2014, 3:21 PM

    Wonder how vocal sheedy was when moyes was his boss. I think we can all guess

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    Mute Banking Bad
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    Mar 17th 2014, 4:07 PM

    Didn’t want to lose his job I’m sure.

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Mar 17th 2014, 9:53 PM

    Sheedy was probably protecting the kids….

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    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
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    Mar 17th 2014, 2:44 PM

    Moyes is the best thing to happen to football in 20 years. People should have more respect for him. Like the Liverpool fans’ banner yesterday said, he is a football genius!

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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Mar 17th 2014, 2:58 PM

    Paul, in all honesty, because this has been going on for a while now, normally I would try to make a case but at this point, this remark puts a smile on my face.

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 17th 2014, 2:33 PM

    Must of been hard for Sheedy. Everyday at work coaching kids for 7 years telling them to do this , do that and work hard, all for the goal of developing players for the first team. When in reality he probably knew these kids were going nowhere at Everton.

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    Mute Noel Howley
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    Mar 18th 2014, 10:49 AM

    Prob like most top half premier league clubs in all fairness tho, like v few of these clubs are actually using their own youth developed players

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    Mute Stephen Duggan
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    Mar 17th 2014, 3:35 PM

    I think it’s the arsenal fans that are the champions of waiting.

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    Mute baz newham
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    Mar 17th 2014, 3:01 PM

    Reckon Harry would have been a better choice! Players have no confidence in manager. Harry a fantastic player manger.

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    Mute Pablo
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    Mar 17th 2014, 11:35 PM

    Go on the sheedy, great goal, corner of the net.. 1990 Ohh love it sir, love it.

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    Mute Sean Barber
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    Mar 17th 2014, 2:51 PM

    Everton is a good team but they’re not as good as Arsenal – 2013/14 champions in waiting.

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    Mute Michael Coughlan
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    Mar 17th 2014, 3:09 PM

    Waiting being the important word there!..waiting they will be!

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    Mute Gerry Gilroy
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    Mar 18th 2014, 7:57 PM

    It’s great Sheedy has the courage to speak out.

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