Keane gets green light for crack at historic 50 goals

ROBBIE KEANE came through a complete training session at the Filipa II stadium in Skopje last night and, barring any unlikely complications or reaction to his groin strain between now and kick-off this evening, the striker will take to the pitch for Ireland against Macedonia on the brink of scoring 50 goals for his country.

Currently on 49, one or more goals this evening would see the Irish skipper overtake Bobby Charlton’s all-time British and Irish record, a remarkable achievement.

Keane, who got his first for his country against Malta as far back as 1998, scored numbers 47 and 48 against Northern Ireland and number 49 against Scotland in last week’s Carling Cup games at the Aviva Stadium.