Keane backs Long to grab debut chance
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.
“It’s brilliant with Kevin and Shane coming into the picture,” said Keane. “Shane looks really good from what I’ve seen this week. I think we should complement each other and it’s a great opportunity for him on his debut. Hopefully he’ll get a goal or two.”
It’s nine years since Keane made his senior debut in a friendly against the Czech Republic and the strike partners he has had since is into double figures.
Back then, Niall Quinn, Tony Cascarino and David Connolly were still knocking about the place but since then he has played off the shoulder of men like Gary Doherty, Clinton Morrison, Stephen Elliott, Kevin Doyle and even Damien Duff.
His own role has evolved from junior partner to senior executive and he has been chairman of the entire board since Steve Staunton handed him the armband last year.
A significant responsibility at the best of times, Keane holds the position at a time of great change in the Irish set-up. Much has been made of the fact that there are seven uncapped players on duty this week but it shouldn’t be forgotten that the same number again is still on single digits.
Extra work load for the skipper then? “There’s always responsibility being captain. You help them in any way you can. I’ve been speaking to Shane already about how we might complement each other. He’s taken that on board and hopefully it will work out.
“I wouldn’t specifically go around to them. I’d speak to them like I would anyone else but if they wanted any specific advice of course I’d give it before games. The most important thing is that they’re young lads and they should just enjoy it. That’s what I was told when I started by the likes of Quinny.”
It’s been the perfect week for the rookies to assimilate. With San Marino as the opposition, the mood in camp has been pleasantly relaxed if yesterday’s ten-on-ten training match was anything to go by and even the hosts agree that a 4-0 defeat would be a superb result for them.
There is always the unexpected though and with it the chance to share the infamy earned by Stuart Pearce when he inadvertently handed San Marino a temporary lead in a World Cup qualifier here back in 1993.
Their results so far in Group D — the 13-0 home defeat to Germany in particular — suggest no such embarrassment should fall upon Ireland here tonight at a quaint little stadium.
“The players are used to it,” said Keane of the venue type. “When you’re growing up you’re playing in small grounds for the youth team or whatever so it’s not a problem. It is great to play in big stadiums and in front of great crowds but that can’t always be the case. The ground won’t be a problem. It’s about getting a result.”
Keane scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture in Dublin three months ago to bring his international tally to 29 in 70 caps and a repeat result on a personal and collective level would be very much mission accomplished.
“To score a hat-trick was something that I’ve always wanted to do as a kid and to do it in the last (international) game at Lansdowne Road was a dream come true. Hopefully I can continue that tomorrow although the result and three points are what’s most important.”
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