Robbies place may not always be automatic

Robbie Keane has spoken about his fear of getting the axe from the Ireland team but insists he wouldn't have it any other way. In the last competitive game against the Slovaks Keane was suspended and a new look Ireland team produced a good display playing Doyle up front with Stephen Ireland behind him. Doyle scored for good measure and Robbie knows there are younger hungry players like Shane Long, Andy Keogh, and Daryl Murphy waiting to take his place.



He told the Irish Daily Mirror:

"Competition is always good. It's important to have a strong squad - it keeps you on your toes and you know that if you're not playing well, then you could be out of the team."

"As an Irishman, you want to play every international. And with two games coming up, we needed to get a test.

Robbie hasn't been dropped from an Irish team when fit since the game against Croatia in 1999. Tony Cascarino was chosen ahead of a then youthful Keane.

Keane was made captain much to the astonishment of the public and media. He is now the person this young squad look up to and relishes the prospect of being part of an up and coming Irish team

He said:

"With such a massive transformation of the squads profile, we'll have to realise things wont happen overnight. Take away five or six of us and the rest are all young lads. Even at 27 I'm hardly old. The great thing about the young lads coming in is that they have such enthusiasm. They've been spot on with their attitude and in a couple of years time we'll have some team."