Robbie Keane says Republic of Ireland must stick together amid Giovanni Trapattoni speculation

 

Damian Spellman
Tuesday 16 October 2012 16:29 BST
Comments
Robbie Keane and Giovanni Trapattoni
Robbie Keane and Giovanni Trapattoni

Robbie Keane has called for a united front in Torshavn tonight as Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni hangs grimly onto his job.

The 73-year-old has insisted he will not walk away after four and a half years at the helm, but there is a growing feeling that the decision might be taken out of his hands even if his team does bounce back from its 6-1 drubbing by Germany to beat the Faroe Islands.

However, Keane is urging the camp to stick together and ride out the storm as they attempt to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

The LA Galaxy striker said: "People are always going to speculate and have their own views on things, and that's the life we live in now with all the social media stuff.

"People are always going to speculate and ask questions. They have the right to do that.

"You get booed and they pay good money to see us play. It was not good enough on Friday and we certainly accept that. People have got their own views.

"At the end of the day, he (Trapattoni) is here and we are all here and we have to stick together.

"It's okay people on the outside asking us questions, that's no problem. When we are in the hotel together and playing together, we have to stick together. It's as simple as that."

Whatever happens in Torshavn tonight, the scars of a dreadful night at the Aviva Stadium will run deep for some time, with Keane admitting the players were embarrassed by a display which plumbed new depths after a disappointing showing at the Euro 2012 finals.

He said: "Like everybody in the whole country and with the lads, everyone is very disappointed with the result.

"I know the players are embarrassed and I think as a whole nation, we are certainly embarrassed.

"We have had a good record up to now and to get a defeat like we did on Friday in front of our home fans is very, very disappointing.

"But the good thing about football is that there is always another game. If that game was it and we didn't have a game tomorrow night, it would certainly have been a long few months."

Keane was a horrified spectator on Friday with an Achilles injury preventing him from being on the pitch, but he will return tonight as one of three changes with Marc Wilson and Robbie Brady also set to start as Stephen Ward, Keith Fahey and Simon Cox make way.

He will only be able to do so after having an injecting on his heel, and he admits the artificial surface at the Torsvollur Stadium will not do him any favours.

The 32-year-old said: "I got an injection and at the moment it feels good, but when you are playing on plastic pitches...I'll be honest with you, they shouldn't be allowed in this day and age."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in