Keane chooses country before club

ROBBIE KEANE has turned down a request from LA Galaxy to withdraw from tonight’s’ game and return early to his club in preparation for Sunday’s MLS Cup final against Houston Dynamo in Los Angeles.

Galaxy coach Bruch Arena contacted Giovanni Trapattoni with the request after last Friday’s 0-4 in Tallinn made the outcome of the Euro 2012 play-off against Estonia appear a foregone conclusion. But when the Ireland manager relayed the message to his skipper, Keane made it clear he had no intention of missing tonight’s second leg.

Keane said: “They requested could I come back to LA but, obviously, the manager and myself and everyone said no. We’re still only half-way in the play-off and it would be a tragedy if we didn’t qualify. The job is still not done and we must be professional and do the job. This could be one the greatest moments in Irish history for me playing for my country and to miss a special night like this wouldn’t feel right.”