O’Neill stands by decision to drop Robbie Keane

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has played down any controversy over Robbie Keane's role in his squad.

The Irish captain and record goalscorer was left out of the side that lost to Scotland in Glasgow on Friday night, marking the first time in over a decade that a fit Keane was absent from the starting eleven for a competitive fixture. Keane followed that game by making clear his unhappiness with any system that called for him to perform as a lone striker, but O'Neill was not eager to discuss the matter at a press conference this afternoon. 'I’m not so sure if I should be going into every single detail,' said the manager, who reiterated that the 34-year-old still had a key part to play in the remainder of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. 'Eventually I am judged by results and we lost the game so the criticism falls on me, that’s fine.  That’s absolutely fine.  But I don’t think we need to be going into the ins and outs. I’m not sure I have to explain every single decision.' Keane has been released back to the Los Angeles Galaxy ahead of their play-off game with the Seattle Sounders this weekend, meaning he will play no part in tomorrow night's friendly with the United States at Lansdowne Road. 'It’s a big important playoff game and his club were asking for him to get going,' O'Neill said. 'We just thought it would be the best thing to do.' Two players who will definitely feature, however, are first-time squad members Cyrus Christie and David McGoldrick. O'Neill confirmed that the pair would start the game against the USA as he looks to size up the new talent in the green jersey.