Robbie Keane could not face thought of retiring

ROBBIE Keane admits it took him very little time to decide against following Damien Duff and Shay Given into international retirement this summer.

Like those two, Keane has been part of the upholstery of the Republic of Ireland team for the best part of a decade and a half. A disappointing European Championship campaign proved to be the tipping point for Given and Duff, who ended their international careers after gaining 125 and 100 caps respectively.

Keane, who will move within four caps of Given’s record when he captains the Republic in 
Kazakhstan tonight, had also been tipped to throw in the towel having just turned 32. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker admits the thought entered his mind, but it left very soon after.

“Of course I thought about it,” Keane said. “When Damien and Shay retired it was a sad day for Irish football, because they have been two of the best 
players this country has ever seen. I considered it, but the thought of never putting on a green shirt again was quite 
difficult to come around to.

“Even now I am dreading that day. I will play as long as I can and as long as I am fit and healthy and as long as the 
manager picks me.”