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.”