Keane Gets Backing For 150 Ireland Caps

Last updated : 05 June 2013 By Covsupport News Service

Republic Of Ireland Goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly sees no reason why former Coventry City forward Robbie Keane cannot go on to get 150 caps for his country.

Keane equalled Shay Given's 125 mark on Sunday against Georgia and Kelly told the Press Association; "Why not? Look at him, he's running around like a spring chicken. I wish I had his knees.

"You have to have that desire and enthusiasm. Everybody said about him travelling over all the way for the England game and getting away from the Galaxy just because he wants to play in the games. That's infectious, to me anyway, and hopefully it is to the rest of the lads.

"I think I was in the squad when he first came in, and subsequently I have seen him rise all the way through from where he started to the iconic status he has now.

"His awareness, his perception, the ability he has to find space - the ability to create time and space on a football pitch is what marks the great players out, and Robbie is undoubtedly up there. I remember having many duels - which I lost on regular occasions - in these games you see out there.

"You'd think you had closed every angle down and you'd think you'd stopped the goal, and 'boom', back of the net and he's wheeling away and smiling at you and saying 'Better luck next time'."