'Ridiculously clever' - Former Premier League defender names Robbie Keane as his toughest opponent

“I defended against the likes of Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp and Didier Drogba who were incredibly difficult, but there’s one player that gave me the most trouble. That man was Robbie Keane."

RIDICULOUSLY CLEVER: Ferencvaros' head coach Robbie Keane during the Europa League opening phase match. Pic: AP Photo/Omar Havana.

Clarke Carlisle had to the deal with the challenge of defending against Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp and Didier Drogba over the course of his playing career, but there is one player he believes caused him even more problems than that legendary trio.

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award judge has insisted that Robbie Keane was the toughest opponent he faced in the Premier League, adding that the former Republic of Ireland forward was ‘ridiculously clever’.