ROBBIE KEANE REFUSED to criticise Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill despite being dropped for the side’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland earlier tonight.
The team’s record goalscorer and captain was introduced with twelve minutes to go after Shaun Maloney had given the home side the lead with a curling right-footed strike but failed to make an impact in the closing stages as the Irish tried to desperately find a late leveller.
But in the aftermath of the loss, he told reporters that he had to respect O’Neill’s decision to leave him out, considering Ireland’s proposed attacking strategy.
If the manager wants to play one up-front, I’m not fucking Niall Quinn and I’m not Shane Long. They’re better at that than I am. If you play two up front and want to score goals, then that’s my game. I prefer to speak about the team rather than individuals – making a big deal out of someone starting a game. The manager made a decision and you have to respect that. Playing one up front doesn’t suit me so I think it’s fairly obvious that it’s not my game.”
Keane watched the majority of an uninspiring game from the bench and the battle reminded him of his brief stint in Scotland in 2010.
“It was the exact same as the Old Firm derby I played in when I came up here – no quality and people just trying to kick each other. It was a scrappy affair and whoever was going to get the first goal would go on and win the game and that was the case.”
Disappointed, certainly for a couple of reasons, Keane felt that after the draw with Germany, the optimism in the camp should’ve pushed the team to get something from the trip to Glasgow. Instead, it’s a case of what might have been.
“When you come away from home, the most important thing is that if you don’t win the game, you don’t lose it. Unfortunately tonight, we did.”
Thought that headline was from Waterford Whispers on first glance
Have a snickers robbie. You are not you when you’re hungry.
Zip it shrimpy….
When we only hoof the ball he’ll get nothing. We need Quinn/Cas for that sort of game. Shocking/ inept performance. Didn’t like the take em out if they beat me mentality. … Worried !
The same thing he always does. GOALS
Sorry Gerard, all the Scottish backs were pros, that’s that argument down the drain,anything else he could offer.
Robbie Keane has scored against 36 different international teams the majority of which defenders where professionals so that’s your argument out the window.
What would he have offered?
Leadership..
Don’t need a leader we need a scorer!!!!
Nothing as ever
We need to get this hoof it forward and hope it hit Walters head straight into the path of a player through on goal. Scotland looked dangers on the break and their movement in attack was very good.
For Poland I think we need Robbie and Long up front. Without Keane on the Pitch I just can’t see us getting enough goals to Qualify. I wouldn’t mind seeing Myler at left back and himself and Coleman given freedom to attack.
A 4-4-2 diamond could be worth a look at. Mc Carthy holding and starting things from deep. Hoolihan behind the two strikers. Brady and Mc Geedy on the Wings.
If you ever needed proof that O’Neill is a hoof merchant there it is. I thought from day one that he was an Irish Trapattoni. The fear of failure stems from the top down in our manager selection. We have lots of good ball players but imagine how low morale must be after Stanton, Trap and now O’Neill. 6or 7 years of safety first tactics and selecting players who’ll “put in a shift” over players who’ll actually keep the ball for long periods of the game. What has it ever achieved? Absolutely f-/k all. The best way of playing not to lose is playing to win.
Why didnt you like the take them out mentality? Did you like all the talk from the scottish camp leading up too this game?? Shaking hands after a tackle, watch the rugby tommorow and on sunday and tell me if you see much hand shaking during the match.. your 11 players from a country of 6 million id be very worried if they werent going in hard on tackles, they should be battling for every ball .. you all loved roy keane for his warrior mentality, now its worrying that 11 players might have it too, my only worry was when the irish player cleared marshell out of it in the air and 10 Scottish players surrounded him where was the rest of the irish team all running back to there positions.. more bottle on a sunday in the pheonix park…
Both teams were like your proof reading….poor
When u leave your top goal scorer on the bench what do expect ? Hasn’t a clue and keane is right to b pissed off
I think Robbie has hit the nail on the head there with all his comments. #disappointing #scotlandvireland
I think even the great man gaurdiola couldn’t get us passing the ball iv come to the conclusion that we are just useles! Wards pass completion rate is under 12% surely he needs an sos back to bohs
Sweet profile pic bro
He has a head that ya just wanna hit!!
Arms folded like an 80s rapper so he can push out the biceps with his hands, I know the tricks
Chillin on my balcony in Bondi liven the life don’t be jealous chicken
Come on then fagit il pull that ginger head off ya any day mate
lol assumptions confirmed, rock on brother I’m sure you’re doing the irish proud over there. I’m with ya man, I’m sick of spelling things correctly and having any sense of self
Very proud , I’m home now don’t worry il find ya
I won’t worry, cause I have half a clue and know you can’t find me. Welcome to the internet my friend
Why did the chicken cross the road??
Mr badger and Mr Burke make very good points. Unfortunately the 1 player we have who can put his foot on the ball and calm things ( hoolahan) was injured. I knew it was going to be tough and I think mentally we looked ragged and not ready and that’s oneills fault. Having a clown like Keane around doesn’t help, and before everyone starts having a go what the fook has he done as a manager or a coach, great player but I get the feeling it’s all about him. Player s looked distracted. Terrible result even a draw would have been a good result but to have 7 pts after 3 games and playing Scotland you would expect to have 8 or 10 this morning. Scotland deserved their win and being honest we will struggle now to qualify with the Germans, Poland and Scotland finishing ahead of us.
The basic and completely obvious problem with Ireland is that we hoof long balls from defence about 90% of the time. People talk about how poor our midfield are but if the ball is sailing over your head most of the time then you’re going to be pretty ineffective, no matter who you are.
Nobody’s asking you to f**k Niall Quinn, Robbie.
Dreadful language. He should hang his head in shame – if he understands the meaning of the word.
Its called frustration mate
Robbie should never be dropped if you want a goal,that was his point,it was a mistake to leave him out,but we were missing our midfiled trio,as well so,MON made a call to drop Keane,it did not work ,Keane and Hoolahan are our most important players imo!
Stall the ball here all those who are lashing roy.. look he is the same man as he was a player, he doesn’t give a fook.. but if your a young irish player and you get called up, do you not think roy keanes influence is gonna affect you.. of course it is.. the greatest ever player ireland has produced and his influence is a negative.. go and s#ite.. he made average players look like superstars.. when he came back for ireland and france brought back the “holy trinity” henry zidane and viera.. keane wore big boy shorts that day cause he had them in his pocket all match.. and here peter pan back under ur bridge you little grammer troll…… and for you red thumb w@nkers…. in the words of chaz michael michaels “let it rain down on me”