No oohs or aahs as McGrath backs Keane for Ireland start

Paul McGrath has hit out at Robbie Keane’s critics and says there should be no question of the Republic of Ireland skipper not starting next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Sweden.

Keane didn’t figure in last week’s friendly against Wales, and with manager Giovanni Trapattoni pondering a change in system to accommodate Norwich City’s Wes Hoolahan, there has been speculation Ireland’s record goalscorer could be dropped for the visit of the Swedes.

However Keane showed he hasn’t lost his knack for finding the net by scoring a hat-trick for the LA Galaxy in their 4-2 win over Real Salt Lake over the weekend and McGrath is bemused by the striker’s critics.