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.”

Keane, who will head back to the States tomorrow to prepare for Galaxy’s big game, said that Arena fully accepted his decision and that it will cause him no difficulties back at his club. “Believe me, it’s not a problem,” he said.

When it was put to him that his decision contrasted sharply with Roy Keane’s contentious withdrawal from the second leg of the World Cup play-off against Iran ten years ago, the captain replied: “I don’t want to get into what happened in the past. I can only speak for myself and what Ireland means to me and I think you all know that. I turn up for every game. If I’ve got a slight injury I still come in and try my best to play the game. That’s the way I’ve been brought up and that’s the kind of player I am.

My country means everything to me. I would never not turn up. I’ve never done that in the past and I can proudly say that.

“For me, Roy was a top, top player but whatever happened to Roy in the past that’s something that you’ll have to ask him. I can only speak on behalf of me and for me this is one of proudest moments in my football career, to lead this team to where we are now and to achieve what we have achieved.”

Keane also revealed he will not be seeking to go out on loan after Galaxy’s season ends in December. He said a period of rest would do him good before the club’s pre-season kicks back in in February.