Robbie Keane will retire from international football following Wednesday’s game against Oman in Dublin.
The Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer received numerous tributes after making the announcement earlier this week, from his former international manager Mick McCarthy, to David Beckham and countless fans on social media.
Even President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to the striker from Tallaght, who set Irish football records they will outlive us all, and remained a committed servant over 18 years.
However, as has always been the case with Keane, his exploits don’t seem to be universally appreciated amongst Irish football fans.
The sheer magnitude of his achievements doesn’t seem to register with everyone, with some preferring to make “boyhood club” jokes, or bemoan the fact the 36-year-old didn’t retire from international duty sooner.
Keane’s former Ireland teammate Stephen Hunt was also full of praise for the Ireland captain, but has an interesting theory as to why the striker appears to divide opinion, arguing that it’s to do with Keane’s on-field body language.
“When Robbie scored a goal, he almost turned into Cristiano Ronaldo,” Hunt wrote in his column for the Sunday Independent.
“It was ‘look at me’. You could have made a lung-busting run to set it up for him, someone could have put it on a plate, but it was still all about him. It didn’t matter what type of goal it was, even a tap-in. It was as if he was saying, ‘I am the king’. There would almost be this look on his face asking, ‘Are you surprised it’s me?’ He definitely turns into that when he scores, craving the attention.
“That’s maybe not seen as the Irish way, and it might have counted against him with some people, but it is the way of so many great players. It is the arrogance of those who achieve the records he did. It is probably what it takes.
“He’s an animal for goals, a man possessed for them, and it comes out when he scores.”
Does Hunt have a point? Were some people turned off by Keane’s confidence and on-field demeanour? Irish fans tend to prefer their sporting heroes to appear humble, so it’s possible the former Ireland winger is on to something.
Hunt finished his column by praising Keane’s commitment to the Irish team and the records he set.
“The last few years have also shown just how utterly dedicated Robbie was to Ireland, beyond his goals. He was no longer guaranteed his game, but was still coming over. He still cared. He is proud to be Irish.
“He should be proud of his achievements in international football. He should be proud of his goalscoring record. It undeniably makes him one of our best ever.”
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