New Spurs deal caps special week for Robbie

ROBBIE KEANE capped his excellent week by signing a new four-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, quashing speculation over his future.

The newly-appointed Ireland captain, who also scored in Wednesday’s 3-0 demolition of Sweden at Lansdowne Road, had been expected to leave White Hart Lane in the summer after finding himself relegated to third-choice striker behind Jermain Defoe and Mido, with Everton apparently keen on securing his services.

Keane even suggested in January that he felt no need to sign an extension to his current deal, which was due to expire in 2007.

But he has been persuaded to stay, partly by Spurs agreeing to improve his €90,000-a-week deal, but also because of the exceptional progress made by the club this season. Tottenham currently occupy the fourth Champions League position and could open up a six-point gap over nearest rivals Blackburn Rovers if they beat them at home tomorrow.

“This is a club that is going places,” said Keane. “I had the feeling it was a club going in the right direction and I still believe this, especially with how the team are doing and the quality of players that have been bought in.

“The negotiations have been going on for a while, but I am just happy it is now signed and I can look forward to a good future with Tottenham. I am happy and have a lot of good friends here. Making the right decision was important for me and I feel I have certainly done that.”

This has been a week to remember for Keane. The 25-year-old began it by edging out Shay Given in the race to be appointed Steve Staunton’s new captain and his reign began in style with Wednesday’s romp against the Swedes.

Staunton’s decision has already found one high-profile supporter in Chris Hughton, Keane’s assistant manager at Tottenham and former coach with Ireland.

“It’s very pleasing but not a surprise,” he said. “I knew who the two candidates would be and Shay and Robbie were definitely the right people to be considered.

“I know that Steve thinks it was important to have an outfield player as the skipper but Robbie was appointed for other reasons as well. He has grown in stature and become a very impressive person.

“People forget how young Robbie is and how much he has achieved, in terms of games played and goals scored. He’s got tremendous respect within the Ireland squad, not just for his ability on the field, but also the contribution he makes off it. The feeling is that he is someone you would like to line up with.”

Hughton has also defended Keane from accusations that he lacks the requisite fieriness to captain his country.

“Leaders come in different shapes and forms,” he added. “We’re all aware that there are certain people who scream and shout and then there are others who might be quieter, but they lead by example. Robbie probably fits into that category.

“One of the best things about him is that you know that he will always give 100% for the team and the country. I know that it means the world to him to be made leader of his country: he’s that sort of personality.”

Keane will almost certainly have to make do with a place on the bench for Spurs’ meeting with Blackburn tomorrow, a scenario which is all too familiar to the Dubliner, who has started only 14 Premiership matches this season.

But Hughton is adamant that the striker is content to be part of Martin Jol’s squad rotation policy in north London.

“Robbie understands the situation here and I don’t think there are any problems,” he insisted. “He’s having a great season for us and helped us get where we are. That has given him terrific confidence and he is now taking that on to his form on the international stage. I know he’s happy.”