Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane has said that today’s draw with Scotland has topped off a tough week for him after the death of his two cousins this week.
Alan and Stephen Harris were overcome by fumes as they worked in a sewer in Portmarnock on Wednesday, with Alan dying at the scene and his brother Stephen passing away yesterday morning.
When Keane was brought on as a second-half substitute for Ireland, the Irish fans gave him a loud cheer in support of the Dubliner.
Keane said: “It was a great reception. It’s been a tough week, I don’t want to talk about it too much, but certainly for all the family it’s been difficult.
“I was ready for the game mentally, I probably wasn’t ready for it physically, in terms of my fitness.
“I’ve played 90 minutes last week, when I was only supposed to play 60, but I ended up playing 90.
Keane said he had feared all week that he wouldn’t be starting against the Scots.
“Being out for two months is a long time, so I wouldn’t have been able to start the game after being out for such a long time. You use your head, and knowing that I had been out for two months.”
Scotland have to travel to Georgia in their next qualifier in September, before hosting World Champions Germany three days later and then Poland in October, so Keane still thinks Ireland have a chance of qualifying.
He said: “We’re definitely not out of it, that’s what everybody is saying to each other, Scotland have a couple of tough games coming up.”
However, to do so, Martin O’Neill’s charges must get maximum points from their trip to Gibraltar in September and their game against Georgia in the Aviva a few days afterwards.
Keane said: “There’s no easy games in the group, but certainly the next two games we’ll be looking to get six points.”