Keane eye for goal makes Robbie an Irish great

As Irish celebrations began on Friday evening, both in Estonia and back on the Emerald Isle, one man looked particularly proud as stood and applauded his fellow countrymen in Tallinn. Robbie Keane - captain of the Republic of Ireland side and scorer of two vital goals in their resounding 4-0 victory over hosts Estonia – has become a linchpin of the national side for many years now, and if anyone deserved to enjoy themselves after a fantastic result such as this one, it was him.

The match was the first of a two legged play-off, with the prize being a place in the finals of Euro 2012. Although the second game has still to be played – in Dublin on Tuesday – it would seem that the game is all but over already. Ireland were already leading 2-0 when Keane first struck with a typical poachers goal, pouncing on a save by the Estonia keeper to slide the ball into an empty net. He then kept a cool head to slot home a penalty kick in the closing minutes of the game, effectively sealing Ireland's place in the tournament proper next year.

Keane is now just two goals away from becoming the highest scoring player in European Championship qualifying, and if he could grab two or more in the second leg it would put him ahead of the likes of Raul, Jan Koller, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Hakan Suker. Regardless of whether or not he achieves this accolade, his place in Irish football history is already written.

He became the first ever Irish player to reach 50 goals at international level, and is the most capped outfield player for his country, with 113 to date, and is only a handful behind current teammate, and record cap holder, Shay Given. But it is not just goals and racking up appearances that is most impressive about Keane, as he is also the Irish captain – and has been for a record number of games.

When he wore the armband against Scotland earlier this year it was his 45^th cap as skipper, officially making it a record, and fittingly he scored the only goal of the game. Whilst Keane has never lost the striking instincts that have made him such a prolific goalscorer, his unselfishness and role as a team player are not to be overlooked, and this was shown in Tallinn when he opted to cross for Jonathon Walters to head home the second goal, rather than shoot himself from a tight angle.

His club career may have been slightly more varied than his international one, having appeared for no fewer than 9 clubs - including Inter Milan, Liverpool and Spurs – and other than his spell at White Hart Lane never really settling anywhere. He did however fulfil a boyhood dream when moved to Glasgow Celtic in 2010 on a short term loan deal.

Keane has since moved to LA Galaxy in the United States, playing alongside David Beckham in the MLS. Although often seen as a 'retirement' move to transfer to America, at just 31 Keane still has a lot to give as a footballer, for both club and country. Tuesday night may well see him break another record, but even if it doesn't happen the striker will, barring a catastrophe, lead his country out in Poland and Ukraine next year.

ALEX FERGUSON QUIZ WINNER

Congratulations to Benjamin Loh after he became the lucky winner of the Alex Ferguson quiz that we ran last week, and some FREE Futera playing cards will now be his. Keep your eyes out for more competitions soon!

Here are the answers to last week's quiz:

1. In what city was Ferguson born, and in what year?

Answer: Glasgow, 1941

2. Who was his first team as a player?

Answer: Queens Park

3. How much did Glasgow Rangers pay for Ferguson in 1967?

Answer: £65,000

4. What team gave Ferguson his first job as a manager?

Answer: East Stirlingshire

5. What was Ferguson's first trophy as a manager?

Answer: Scottish First Division

6. How many European trophies did he win as manager of Aberdeen?

Answer: 2

7. How many times has he won Premier League Manager of the Year?

Answer: 10

8. How much did Ferguson pay for Juan Sebastián Verón in 2001?

Answer: £28.1m

9. How much did he then sell him on to Chelsea for just 2 years later?

Answer: £15m

10. How many home matches did Ferguson lose last season in the Premier League?

Answer: None!

By Laurie Dunsire