Scotland out to thwart Keane

Kenny Miller has warned Robbie Keane that Scotland are determined to prevent him from hitting his 50th international goal this weekend.

Keane claimed his 47th and 48th goals on Tuesday as the Republic of Ireland cruised to a 5-0 win over Northern Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup.

Miller now hopes the Scots can prevent the Irish hitman from adding to his tally when the two nations meet in the tournament’s final match on Sunday but he had nothing but praise for Keane.

He said: “He is a top player. To get that level of goals in international football is incredible.

“I know first hand how hard goals are to come by in any game but international football is a lot tougher.

“Hopefully he stays on the 48 goals this weekend. It would be a fantastic achievement for anybody to get 50 international goals and he is a player who thoroughly deserves it.”

Scotland opened the competition with a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in February, before fighting back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 victory over Wales in midweek.

That means a straight fight between Craig Levein’s men and the Republic to claim the silverware in the final match.

Miller said: “What we set out to do at the start of the tournament was to win the three games and win the tournament.

“More importantly, it has given us three games to prepare and get the team set up for the qualifiers.

“We were really happy with how we played on Wednesday night and if we can go about our business in the same way on Sunday then hopefully we will be getting the trophy. The way we have been playing in this tournament has definitely been pleasing.”

However, the Bursaspor striker is under no illusions about the task facing Scotland in their final match in Dublin.

Miller said: “They are definitely a model team to look at, they are a fantastic team. It will be a tough game for us.

“It’s a game that might be a measuring stick for how far we have come. I think we have made great progress under Craig.

“The performances have been fantastic and the results have been good.”