Keane blasts ‘publicity-seeking’ Birmingham

IN a bizarre postscript to the collapse of his proposed transfer to Birmingham City, Robbie Keane has claimed a deal with the club was “never really on the table” and charged that the Blues were publicity seeking at his expense.

Following reports that Spurs had agreed a €6 million bid for the player, Birmingham issued a statement on Monday which indicated that the deal had fallen through because the club was not prepared to meet the player’s excessive wage demands.

However, Keane yesterday hit back, saying: “The Birmingham stuff was never on anyway, so it was very strange to see that stuff on Sky in the first place. It was never going to happen.

“That Birmingham stuff was a bit bizarre with a statement coming out from them which I found very strange.

“A deal was never really on the table, so I just think that Birmingham were looking for a bit of publicity really.’’

West Ham have also been linked with the Ireland captain but Keane had no further news to report on that front — or, indeed, on the likelihood of any imminent move away from White Hart Lane. “I haven’t heard anything at the moment but we will just see what happens,’’ he said. “There are still a couple of weeks left (in the transfer window), so I’m sure we’ll find out by then.’’

West Ham yesterday gave their backing to under-fire manager Avram Grant and further stated that they had “identified potential transfer targets” to give the club the best possible chance of staying in the Premier League.

Grant has previously stated that Keane is a player he would like to bring to Upton Park.

Meanwhile, former Bohemians midfielder Paul Keegan, who has joined Championship side Doncaster Rovers, has spoken about his mixed feelings at leaving Dalymount at a time of turmoil for the club.

“I suppose on a personal level I am happy to be away from it all as it’s not a nice situation but I feel for the lads who are still at the club,” he said. “I understand the club’s financial plight and I know the state the economy is in but is there any other job where employees would be asked to go without wages for seven weeks and do nothing about it? It’s crazy.”

The 26-year-old, who could make his debut for Doncaster against Ipswich on Saturday, said of his move to England: “The deal is only for five months but if I get a chance to show them what I can do hopefully it will lead to a longer deal.”