Tardelli relief as Robbie hits the ground running

ROBBIE KEANE’S flight from the US landed in Dublin Airport at 8am yesterday and just three hours later he was out on the training pitch with the Irish squad in Malahide.

The decision was Keane’s according to Marco Tardelli and instructive, he felt, of the high stakes as the squad makes final preparations for the Euro 2012 play-off games against Estonia in Tallinn on Friday and Dublin the following Tuesday.

“I asked him if he preferred to stay at the hotel and have a rest but he wanted to play as he said he was feeling fit and well,” said the assistant manager. “He is our captain and knows it’s a very important match for the country, for the players, for all. He understands the responsibility.”

Tardelli watched TV coverage of LA Galaxy’s 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Sunday, a game in which fit-again Keane grabbed a goal.

“He looked sharp,” said Tardelli with a smile of relief. “It’s good for us that he feels so good because we have problems with the other strikers, with Long and Best, and Doyle is suspended so I think we need Robbie Keane.”

Of the probable starting eleven for Friday’s game against Estonia in Tallinn, Shay Given (stiff neck), Richard Dunne (knee) and Keith Andrews (nursing a cold) missed training yesterday but Tardelli said that all three are expected to train today. Keith Fahey also skipped training with a minor knee problem while goalkeeper David Forde has been forced out of the squad with a thigh injury. He will be replaced by Motherwell’s Darren Randolph.

Like Giovanni Trapattoni, Tardelli made a point of talking up the challenge presented by Estonia.

“I’ve watched many DVDs and they have strong players,” he said. “Above all, they are strong physically and have a good balance between the midfield and the strikers. I think it is a good team. Maybe it is lacking a little bit of creativity, maybe, but it’s a good team and it has shown it by scoring 15 goals like us and finishing second, like us. So we have to be careful.

“When we saw the draw we were very happy because we drew Estonia but Estonia were very happy too because they drew us. We are not favourites. We have a 50% chance like Estonia. If we think we are favourites then it would be very dangerous. We must be focused. This is the match of a lifetime for many of our players. It’s important to qualify because the players need a boost as well in terms of new contracts and visibility. And, for some players, maybe it is the last chance to (be seen) around the world. And it is important also for the Irish people. I am very close to my country, and I think these players are very close to their country. I always felt very emotional when I stood on the pitch during the national anthem. And I think it’s the same for these players.”