Robbie Keane ‘not great’ as second relative dies

Martin O'Neill fields questions after a training session in Dublin. Picture: PA

Such a long anticipated clash has been placed firmly in perspective by the shattering news that Keane has lost two cousins over the last three days following an accident in a sewer.

Alan Harris died on Wednesday after being overcome by toxic fumes as they worked in a sewer while investigating faulty pipes. Stephen Harris, Alan’s brother, died yesterday in hospital in Dublin, where he had been receiving treatment since the accident, just a few miles from the Irish training base in Malahide.

This news emerged shortly before O’Neill conducted a press conference yesterday at a hotel in Dublin airport to preview tonight’s game. These tragic developments dominated an understandably downbeat briefing, where O’Neill admitted Keane, who trained yesterday, has been greatly affected.

Republic of Ireland's Robbie Keane. Picture: PA

“It was obviously very bad news this morning, as well,” said the manager. “So he is not feeling great, I must admit. It is obviously very difficult for the family. He is quite down at the moment. I am hoping he will come round. Whether he feels he wants to participate in the game tomorrow, it will be entirely his decision.

“I don’t think you could ever question his professionalism,” he added. “It is how he is feeling within himself. He is not great, not great at all.”

There was already some doubt over the extent of Keane’s involvement. The 34-year-old striker has played only once for his club LA Galaxy since injuring his groin in April but he was expected to contribute as a substitute at least. Whether Ireland’s record goalscorer features at all is now in severe doubt.

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, who bought the then teenage Keane for £6 million for Coventry City in 1999, extended his sympathies to the player and wondered whether he might be inspired to play in such a crucial fixture in memory of his cousins.

“I cannot speak for Robbie,” Strachan said. “But I just know as a footballer sometimes you do have things like this happening to you and I have seen people performing. To get where he has got in the football world he is mentally strong – absolutely. But I cannot tell you how Robbie is feeling. Obviously we send our sympathy,” added Strachan. “It’s not an easy thing for me to talk about, when you come here to talk about football. But as I say our sympathies are with him, especially because I know the lad.”

Strachan would not be drawn on the news Aiden McGeady is another doubt for Ireland after sitting out training yesterday with a hamstring injury.

“They could lose two or three players and still put in a terrific performance,” he said. “I didn’t think any one player on either side would affect the outcome of the game tomorrow.”

O’Neill had earlier admitted that McGeady is “feeling sore”. He added: “He felt not bad on Sunday, he is sore now. We will see how he is. He sat out today as a precaution.”

Strachan will name his side this morning. “There will be four or five who are disappointed,” he said.

Victory would take Scotland five points clear of Ireland, who are currently behind them in fourth place in Group D. While a draw might also suit their needs, Strachan dismissed the notion the visitors would sit in.

“I can’t remember any manager telling me, and I am going back 40 years, that this is the way you play for a draw,” he said.

He is, though, prepared for however Ireland decide to approach the game.

“I think our last game in November [which Scotland won 1-0] was intense – I am not sure I would call it a battle,” said Strachan. “It was intense in that no-one wanted to give ground. Whether you are 5ft 2in or 6ft 3in you just didn’t want to give ground. But it wasn’t nasty in any way. I think we all agree with that. It was just intense. And I think they enjoyed it.

“We can get involved with them but maybe, in rugby terms, if you look at some of our players, we do not have that ‘pack’. We are giving weight away in the pack. But I think we can deal with anything that is thrown at us. If it is a lovely football match we can deal with that. If it is going to be intense, we can deal with that. Our smaller players know now that if you are good and quick, get used to getting up again if you get knocked down because it’s part of the deal.”