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"We are not going to go to France to sit back and defend. We are going to go and try and win the game," exclaimed Keane, shortly before yesterday's departure for Paris.
"Maybe if we are winning the game and there is not long left, then maybe we will defend after that, but I don’t see us doing it from the kick off."
The 24-year-old will be partnered once more by Birmingham City striker Clinton Morrison - who is gunning for a third goal in the Germany 2006 campaign, after efforts against the Cypriots and Switzerland (1-1) in Basle.
Keane feels the partnership is one that can only improve, adding: "He is brilliant.
"He’s not very big, but he’s a good target man, very strong, holds the ball up well and is somebody I can drop off.
"It means he’s good for me and in the last few games we have done well together, scoring three goals between us."
Keane's tandem with Morrison - a player who was incredibly eligible to play for the Republic, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jamaica - began after 25-year-old Morrison earned his senior debut under Mick McCarthy, replacing Keane in the 2-2 draw with Croatia in August 2001.
In the six games that both have started together, since the 0-0 draw with Brazil earlier this year, Ireland have scored five times through either Keane or Morrison.
Of course the Tooting lad bagged a goal on his debut, and a second on his second start - the 3-0 friendly win over Denmark two years ago.
The Keane-Duff axis that McCarthy plumped for at the 2002 World Cup saw Morrison the cold until he was selected alongside Gary Doherty for Brian Kerr's first game - and again he scored, leading Ireland to a 2-0 away win in Scotland.
As a second half substitute in the 2-1 friendly win over Australia in August of last year, Morrison struck his fourth but it took the visit of Brazil last February for Kerr to finally start Keane and Morrison together up front.
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Both have played a further five times with Keane scoring three times in the last seven months, on his way to equalling Niall Quinn's goal record of 21.
Morrison (seen right, after heading his eighth minute opener against the Swiss) has taken his international tally to seven with his last two in the qualifiers, and was taken off after 84 minutes for Gary Doherty in Basle.
He also scored on his last Birmingham outing - a 3-1 League Cup win over Lincoln City last month.
(*Photos courtesy of PA International)