Gaizka Mendieta: Replacing Robbie Keane would be hard for any country

Gaizka Mendieta might have been the man who ended the World Cup dream of Ireland and Robbie Keane in 2002 but these days he has nothing but sympathy for the country’s thankless task in trying to locate a successor to our now retired record goalscorer.

“It’s not only Ireland, I think for any country to replace a player like him would be difficult,” said the former Spain international. “Obviously, for Ireland it’s going to be tough to replace a most amazing goalscorer. Wherever he played he scored goals. Those players are hard to find and if you do find one, you will pay as much as you have to.