Keane’s lack of match time at Spurs causing concern

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has learned the hard way that if he suggests one of his players in England could do with a move, it only ends up causing what he likes to call “a polemica” in the press.

But it doesn’t take too much reading between the diplomatic lines to appreciate that the Ireland manager is now seriously concerned that Robbie Keane is suffering from his lack of game time at Spurs — although not to the extent that Trapattoni feels the Irish team can afford to take the field without their captain and record goal-scorer.

Keane had a night to forget in front of goal in Zilina on Tuesday and while Trapattoni was philosophical about that costly penalty miss — “Maradona and Baggio have missed penalties” — he laid the blame for the striker’s other fluffed lines directly at his lack of match fitness.

“Obviously in the last few minutes, in the best condition he would have been fresh and could have scored,” said Trapattoni.

“But we cannot play without Robbie. For an hour he played well. He helped us defend the ball. He is in our team because he gives us experience and assurance. He helps us to think about what we have to do. Sure he couldn’t work or run like Shane Long. But the very strong team is one with a mixture of experience and energy.

“Before, we discussed Robbie’s situation and about moving to another team. He said that he’d stay because he’d get another chance with Tottenham. Against Slovakia, it was clear he was not fit for 90 minutes. If he was, he would have controlled the ball and scored with that last chance. That is normal but we need his experience.

“Obviously, if he was a car he’d have 200,000km on the clock. But it’s not that. It’s not that he’s old. With full match fitness, he can be better. And I don’t believe it’s a question of confidence. If there isn’t the fitness, it is possible to lose one second.

“And it’s not just Keane. Going back to the game against Russia, we had two or three players whose performance levels were down. Their reaction was just a second too late. It was the same with Whelan too, because he hasn’t played enough. But against Slovakia he was fresher. Today football is quick. It’s not easy and, with poor condition, your reaction time goes down.”

Trapattoni admitted he had considered taking Keane off in Zilina but was afraid that it would have been a psychologically damaging for the side. However, he denied that the interests of the player come before those of the team.

“It’s our job, this psychology,” he said. “But the first priority is the team and the result. I’m not afraid to make a change but on the bench I had only (Andy) Keogh. We’re looking at other strikers for the future now.”