Keane to shoot the lights out

AT 26 years of age and with 26 goals to his credit, Robbie Keane has already assured himself of a place in Irish football’s Hall of Fame.

But the country’s record goalscorer, and now team captain, knows that the pressure is on tonight to belatedly increase his haul against the most porous defence inEuropean football.

Although he had a superb game against the Czech Republic, Keane’s failure to score with a late header means that he has still to open his competitive account under Steve Staunton. His most recent goal forIreland came in the 3-0 friendly win over Sweden and, before that, you have to go back to the 2-2 draw with Israel at Lansdowne Road in 2005 to find the last time he scored in a qualifying game.