Robbie Keane on Irish firepower in Euro quest
By Stephen Leonard
IRELAND’s all-timer leading goal scorer Robbie Keane believes Ireland have the fire-power needed to really put it up to all their Group E opponents in this month’s European Championships in France.
Martin O’Neill’s side, which also includes other local lads Glenn Whelan and Stephen Quinn, face a really tough task in making it out of Group B which sees them pitched against Sweden in Stade de France on Monday next after which they take on Belgium in Bordeaux the following Saturday and then Italy in Lille on Wednesday, June 22.
(Pic: FAI)
Yet regardless of the opposition they will face, Keane is confident that there are goals in this Ireland squad and that they will not make it easy for anyone in France this month.
“Some of the lads have been performing well for their clubs” Keane pointed out.
“Shane [Long] has been doing really well for Southampton, Daryl [Murphy] likewise for Ipswich and myself scoring for Galaxy. And then you have Jon Walters who has scored some really important goals already for us.
“On top of that you have the midfielders who can score goals, so we have the firepower to cause problems for teams. We’ve just got to keep it tight defensively and work hard as a team” insisted the Tallaght man.
While Keane appears to have shaken off the effects of the calf strain that kept them out of the final warm-up match against Belarus, the indications are that Walters will also soon be back after he suffered some Achilles trouble.
Ireland has already served up some strong performances and impressive results in their qualification campaign, none more so than their stunning 1-0 triumph over World champions Germany at the Aviva Stadium back in October.
Keane is adamant that performances of this stature will be good enough to see Ireland out of their group in France.
“Defensively we did really well that night and if we can get one more chance like that and bang the ball in the back of the net we could do well at these championships.
“We have to be strong as a team.
(Pic: FAI)
“The feeling in the camp over the past few weeks has been really good.
“The trip to Cork has been brilliant. There’s been a real buzz about the place and everybody just can’t wait to get there and get going” he added.
Many view Ireland’s opener against Sweden as a pivotal tie in determining our chances of reaching the last 16 phase of the tournament.
The Swedes, led by the mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have no shortage of experience on the European Championship stage having now appeared in every one of the last five.
Erik Hamren’s squad has been bolstered by the influx of a lot of young blood from the Under 21 squad that enjoyed European Championship success last year.
Belgium, with the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, have no shortage of creativity in midfield, while the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Divock Origi are capable of unlocking any defence.
The loss of Vincent Kompany is a major blow to the side, and Ireland will be hoping they can capitalise on his absence.
Italy, likewise, have lost the services of a number of key players including Claudio Marchisio and Marco Veratti.
It is in defence that the strength of the Azzurri lies with Gianluigi Buffon, one of the world’s most experienced and successful goalkeepers, leading the way.
In front of him are top drawer defenders in the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Berzagli and Leonardo Bonucci all of whom have a deep understanding given all their time together at Juventus.
They do look to be lacking significant options in attack with Southampton’s Graziano Pelle carrying a some weight on his shoulders.
Yet the Italians have proven time and again to be great tournament performers and Ireland will have to be at their best to get something out of this tie.
