Keane backs Long to grab debut chance

THERE was an inescapable sense of déjà vu at the Stadio di Serravelle yesterday as Robbie Keane waxed lyrical about a promising young Reading striker.

Last November, on the day before the home tie against San Marino, the Irish skipper had been saying the very same things about Kevin Doyle who would go on to score his first senior international goal the following evening.

This time, it was Shane Long who was being love-bombed by the Tottenham striker and the Tipperary youngster will be hoping that he can fill Doyle’s boots as effectively at international level as he has in the Premiership.