LA star Keane eyes Hollywood finish

IT WAS fitting that Robbie Keane spent most of Wednesday with his head in the clouds as he made his way back to his American dream after finally realising a European one.

Minutes after the final whistle had blown on Tuesday night’s Euro 2012 lap of honour, Keane got a reminder of his new station in life, as kit-man Dick Redmond bounded onto the side of the pitch in a Captain America outfit.

Redmond’s reward for his homage to Robbie was a swift visit to the ice bath in the home dressing-room while Robbie’s day yesterday was spent travelling back to California to meet his real captain in America, the one and only David Beckham.

Keane, Beckham and all the other stars in LA’s Galaxy have a big game of their own to look forward to on Sunday, the MLS final against the Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Stadium. Victory would round off a very nice week for the Irish striker.

“I am trying to enjoy this week, take it all in and remember it. If I’m honest, getting through to the World Cup in 2002 passed me right by,” he admitted.

“These moments don’t happen very often and I realise that now. I have a terrible memory anyway but I don’t remember anything about being in Iran or anything that went with the play-off that got us to the World Cup (10 years ago).

“That’s why I had a little chat with myself before the game against Estonia on Tuesday. I told myself to try and take in very moment, every little detail and cherish it.

“In 2002, I thought qualification would be the norm for us, I thought we’d be at every European and World Cup but that hasn’t been the case. We have been close on a couple of occasions but we didn’t get there.

“I only understand now how difficult it is to qualify for these tournaments. When you are 21 you kind of take things for granted. You think you have 15 years left in you and every second summer will be a tournament. It doesn’t work like that, that’s why Tuesday was so important, firstly to ensure that we qualified and then that we all enjoyed it.”

Keane said as much to the Irish players under his stewardship when they gathered for the traditional pre-match huddle at the Aviva. He will repeat the mantra when he returns to training in LA this afternoon.

“I’m looking forward to the final, I have been talking to some of the lads and they are buzzing about the game. This success with Ireland will be a good omen for Sunday, hopefully,” added the 31-year-old.

Never one to pull his verbal punches, Tallaght’s finest had no hesitancy in ranking the European Championship qualification in terms of his career achievements.

“It’s the highlight,” said his nation’s record goalscorer. “I always dreamed about playing for my country, like every other kid, but to captain your country in a major tournament like this is something else.

“As a kid I watched the World Cups under Jack and Euro ‘88, although the only thing I remember about that is Ray Houghton’s goal against England. I watched Mick McCarthy and Andy Townsend leading their country out and you never, ever think it is going to be you. It is going to be a proud, proud moment for me in that first game in Poland or the Ukraine. Definitely the highlight of my career.”

Keen again to boost the national spirit, Keane insists his team will fly the flag for Ireland next summer but he is anxious to dampen the idea that soccer needs success to counteract recent rugby achievements.

“First of all, there is no competition,” he stressed. “Everyone wants Ireland to do well at any sport. I was even watching cricket a few years ago in the World Cup when the Irish lads were brilliant.

“It’s all about the country doing well. The rugby lads did their bit, the football team are doing it again now in this campaign. We’ve been rebuilding and rebuilding and finally, we are getting rewards.”

Before he left for LA, a reporter offered the news that Ireland are 50/1 to win the European Championships. “Put a bet on us,” quipped Robbie and with that he was gone, off to chase that American dream.