Irish boss keeping faith in Keane

THE irony of Ireland’s record goalscorer being left wondering if anyone wants him at club level was never more starkly illuminated than yesterday when his international understudy was hogging the headlines.

West Brom hardly bought Shane Long for over €7 million with a view to using him as an impact sub yet the bench remains the rising star’s most likely launch pad when it comes to international duty.

By contrast, Robbie Keane might not be the most wanted man in the Premiership but can rest assured that there will continue to be a welcome on the mat for him from Giovanni Trapattoni, with the manager confirming yesterday that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Keane will start for Ireland in the crunch European qualifiers against Slovakia and Russia next month.