Magic and maturity: the mark of the new Keane

THERE ARE many reasons to mourn Ireland’s absence from this summer’s World Cup, and not the least of them is that at the game’s very highest level, the country’s record goalscorer won’t get the chance to strike when the iron is red-hot.

Going into today’s big game with Arsenal at Highbury, Spurs’ Robbie Keane is enjoying arguably the best form of his career, with seven goals in his last eight outings contributing to a total of 15 this term - especially impressive given his difficulties in nailing down a starting place earlier in the season. Little wonder that, with voting having just commenced this week, the Dubliner is favourite to win the club’s Player of the Year award.

What a difference a few months have made, and what a pity Keane won’t be leading the line - and the team - in Germany in June. Of course, this season still holds out the prospect of a heady reward at club level. Arsenal may be determined to ensure otherwise, but few would begrudge Keane the chance to savour Champions’ League action next season, the prospect of which has led him to describe today’s north London derby as the most important of his Tottenham career. “The Arsenal game is the biggest since I came to the club,” he admitted yesterday.