Keane unfazed by transfer talk

As we move into the summer months, speculation is continuing to grow about the future of a number of Irish players, within and without the current senior squad.

Kevin Doyle is currently being linked with a big-money move to Arsenal, Liam Lawrence is mulling over a move to Doyle's current employers Wolves, Stephen Reid may be on his way to either West Brom or Celtic, while current exile Stephen Ireland has just handed in a transfer request to Man City boss, Robert Mancini.

Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is also the subject of speculation, a seemingly unending trait of his career, following the end of his loan spell at Glasgow Celtic but, speaking yesterday in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, he revealed that he wants to return to Spurs and, unless he is told otherwise, that is where he will be when the season re-starts in a couple of months time.

“I've got a three-year contract left. I've to report back to pre-season training with Tottenham on the 5th of July. So, unless other people tell me differently, I'm a Tottenham player," the Tallaght man said.

Keane also revealed that Spurs boss Harry Redknapp hadn't discussed anything with him beyond his loan spell, and simply told him to go there and enjoy his football, and then come back to London in the right frame of mind to prepare for the new season with the White Hart Lane outfit.

“No, enjoy your time there and then come back Harry said. He knows what kind of person I am, what kind of personality I am. I just love playing football and he fully respected that. It simple as that lads, I'm going back to Tottenham. Unless Harry pulls me in, or the Chairman pulls me in, and says otherwise."

The former Liverpool man went on to say that the main reason he went to Celtic was so that he could play regular first-team football again, and stated that he isn't the kind of player who just picks up a pay-check and then sits on the bench come game time.

“That's the reason why I went. I'm not one of these people who likes to sit on the bench and get the money and be happy with that. I know there's been a few down through the years who've been more than happy to do that, and I could never get my head around that”.

“I can fully respect Liam Lawrence wanting to move on and play football. When you're a kid, you don't dream of playing bits and bobs. You want to play every game, and that's where you get your sharpness and you're fitness. I don't like to train every day of the week, and then come Saturday not play. I've always been like that."

As well as the desire for playing football week-in, week-out, Keane also felt that he needed to get his hunger back at Celtic, which he felt had been missing from his game for a while at Tottenham.

“I just think that I was in a little bit of a rut. Obviously at Liverpool, going back to Tottenham. I did well when I went back first, and did well at the start of the season. Then, I just didn't have that hunger that I had before. I just felt I needed to go away to get it back, and I certainly got it back at Celtic, and it certainly got me back on track, really enjoying my football again."

Looking ahead to the European Championship Qualifying group, the 29-year-old feels that Ireland will have an excellent chance of coming out of the group, but also believes that there are no easy games in International football any more.

“We say every time we've got a chance, but there's no easy games any more. Before maybe with teams like San Marino, people would say it's six-points, but unfortunately teams are getting a lot stronger now. It means it isn't going to be easy, but the way we played in the previous one we have to have a lot of confidence going into it. We've certainly got a good chance, but certainly there are tough games in it."

Next month, Keane will turn 30, which inevitably brings up potential questions about retirement. While undoubtedly it is something that is one the Dubliner's mind, he says that he still feels young and believes that, depending on injuries, he can continue for a good few years yet.

“I think it obviously depends on injuries, and on the legs, but at the moment I feel great. I feel as young as ever, as long as that continues I'll continue. When I'm with the Irish team that comes first, and when I'm at club level that comes first. There's none higher than the other, because at the end of the day, I give 100% at club level when I'm there, and when I'm with Ireland I give 100%.

“I would never miss a game. The only time I've missed a game is obviously through injuries. I enjoy playing for my country, and always have. I have that enthusiasm since I was 16, when I first made my debut for the under-age, and that still hasn't changed”, added the former Crumlin United star.