VIDEO: We’re ready for Bosnia battle, declares bullish Robbie Keane
The country’s record goalscorer buried some of his most vital strikes in previous play-offs to guarantee lifelong memories of appearances at the World Cup and European Championships.
While no longer the sleek, nimble sharpshooter of that era, the 35-year-old’s worth to Martin O’Neill could still be demonstrated when Ireland chase a precious away goal in Zenica tomorrow.
“The one thing I can tell you is that our players are going to fight for every second,” stressed the eldest player on the plane to Sarajevo today.
“We won’t give Bosnia a chance. I think this is where you’ll see the mentality of the Irish players growing up on the streets.
“We’re tough and ready to play and ready to go to battle. If we see that on Friday and Monday, I think we have a very good chance of qualifying.
“You don’t get too many opportunities to play in European Championships or World Cups. I’ve been very, very fortunate to play at both tournaments. Some players never do. Look at people like Ryan Giggs and stuff like that who never had the opportunity.
“We have the opportunity now in this next week to qualify for a massive, massive tournament. We have experienced players that are at an age now that they certainly know the importance of that.”
The LA Galaxy striker didn’t start either of the concluding qualifiers against Germany and Poland last month after being substituted at half-time during the win over Georgia the previous month.
O’Neill’s options up top have diminished rapidly in recent weeks through the suspension of Jon Walters and Shane Long’s injury-enforced absence, increasing the prospects of Keane winning his 144th cap tomorrow.
“I’m not 25 anymore but I still have a lot to offer,” he reasons. “That’s a lot of goals. Nothing has changed on that front.
“I think, as captain as well, you have to be mature in these situations. I don’t want to say I’m coming to an end because I’m far from that. And that means I won’t get another four-year contract from the LA Galaxy if I say that!
“I’m nowhere near that and fully focused now. I’m still playing and scoring goals. I’m up for getting chances and have always delivered.
“I think I’ve scored in every play-off we’ve been involved in. I put pressure on myself in training to score goals. I think that’s the standard you have to keep for yourself.
“If you always have that hunger and desire to continue to do that, you always have to know where to be and to put yourself into those positions.
“I don’t need to be knocking on the manager’s door. He knows what I can do from the 67 goals I’ve scored for my country.
“The main thing in the away leg is to get an away goal. We’ve seen in previous play-offs how vital that can be and I’d be delighted to be involved.”
The last two of Keane’s five play-off goals came four years ago in the 4-0 humbling of Tallinn but he’s expecting this opposition to be sterner than Estonia. “I’ve a feeling it will be more difficult than that,” admits the Dubliner.
“Bosnia have a player in Edin Dzeko who can score goals. Then there’s (Miralem) Pjanic in midfield with his free kicks.
“I’ll be telling the lads not to give away silly free kicks around the edge of the box. We just have to be wary about not being silly and giving Pjanic opportunities for free kicks around the edge of the box,” Keane said, adding:
“Little details like that we would certainly have to think about but we can’t go into the game worried about certain individuals.”
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