SIXTY-TWO AND counting. Just as he scored the last goal of Giovanni Trapattoni’s reign, it was Robbie Keane who scored the first of the Martin O’Neill era.
His first-half strike set Ireland on course for a 3-0 win over Latvia and drew him level with Ronaldo and Didier Drogba on the all-time scorers list.
It also makes O’Neill the fifth permanent Ireland manager that Keane has scored under.
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But afterwards he was quick to pay tribute to the team performance that got the new management off to a flier.
“It’s not like we went out and brought 20 different players in. We can’t do that. It’s the same squad.
“The new manager has come in with different ideas like every manager has but everything was much the same.
The performance was good. The intensity of the performance was good, pressing up high which was very, very good.
I think we’re quite capable of doing that against teams, get them in their own half, and make them make mistakes.
One of those Latvian mistakes led directly to Ireland’s second. Juris Laizans’ loose pass went straight to Aiden McGeady who drilled a shot past goalkeeper Andris Vanins.
“He’s a game-changer, simple as that,” Keane declared. “He’s a game-changer.
“Himself and [man of the match] James McClean tonight, between the two of them you see the skills they have.
“It’s good for the fans to watch. Everyone wants players like that.”
Robbie delighted by team work as Ireland get new era off to perfect start
SIXTY-TWO AND counting. Just as he scored the last goal of Giovanni Trapattoni’s reign, it was Robbie Keane who scored the first of the Martin O’Neill era.
His first-half strike set Ireland on course for a 3-0 win over Latvia and drew him level with Ronaldo and Didier Drogba on the all-time scorers list.
It also makes O’Neill the fifth permanent Ireland manager that Keane has scored under.
But afterwards he was quick to pay tribute to the team performance that got the new management off to a flier.
“It’s not like we went out and brought 20 different players in. We can’t do that. It’s the same squad.
“The new manager has come in with different ideas like every manager has but everything was much the same.
One of those Latvian mistakes led directly to Ireland’s second. Juris Laizans’ loose pass went straight to Aiden McGeady who drilled a shot past goalkeeper Andris Vanins.
“He’s a game-changer, simple as that,” Keane declared. “He’s a game-changer.
“Himself and [man of the match] James McClean tonight, between the two of them you see the skills they have.
“It’s good for the fans to watch. Everyone wants players like that.”
Manager report: How did Martin O’Neill get on in his first game in charge?
Long hopes first impression will keep him in O’Neill’s plans
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Aiden McGeady International Friendlies James McClean Martin O'Neill Reaction Robbie Keane Ireland Republic Latvia