Roy Keane is convinced record goalscorer Robbie Keane will not let the Republic of Ireland down if he is pitched into Euro 2016 battle with Scotland.
The 34-year-old striker, who has 65 goals to his name in 139 senior appearances for his country, has played just 169 minutes of football for LA Galaxy since the beginning of April because of a groin injury.
However, assistant manager Keane has no doubts that his namesake, who was left on the bench for the first time in 13 years as the Republic lost 1-0 in Glasgow in the reverse fixture in November, will do a job if he is asked to start the crucial Group D encounter by manager Martin O’Neill on Saturday evening.
The former Manchester United and Ireland skipper said: “If Robbie starts, he won’t let us down.
“hoever starts the game won’t let us down as we have good competition.
“Murph (Daryl Murphy) is doing well, (David) McGoldrick, (Shane) Long – there are options up front and we’ll see in the next 24 hours, if there is no reaction to Robbie.
“He played the weekend, a bit of travelling, trained yesterday and today – today was a bit more intense for him – and the manager has a decision to be made.
“But if Robbie plays, like he has always done a 100-odd times, he won’t let us down.”
Roy also credited the LA Galaxy striker for his attitude on the training pitch following .
He said: “I don’t really know the ins and outs. But he has trained today, being the professional he is, as you would expect, and as far as he’s concerned he’s focusing on the game.”