Keane targets win with clean sheet

Having endured some ferociously hot weather during their vital 1-0 win over Armenia in Yerevan, Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic Of Ireland are bracing themselves for the exact opposite when they welcome minnows Andorra to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening, for what will be the first competitive soccer International in the revamped Dublin 4 venue.

The downpour of rain that has affected the Irish capital for the past few days is expected to continue for the next few days, which means that it could have an adverse effect on the game itself. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in The Grand Hotel, Malahide, Ireland Captain Robbie Keane seemed to agree when it was put to him that the current weather situation could benefit his team-mates, though at the same time he is hopeful the conditions won't be too bad for the game.

"I think so, yes (the weather will suit us). It's been shocking obviously since we came back. We were complaining that it was too hot over there, and now we're complaining that the weather is brutal! It certainly will help us, conditions like this, they probably wouldn't be used to it. Hopefully, it won't be too windy. At the same time, we'd like to play football, and at the moment the conditions are obviously not very good", Keane commented.

The last time Ireland played Andorra, they went behind early on before recovering to win the game 3-1, which was crucial in ensuring that they qualified for the play-off stages of the 2002 World Cup Qualifying campaign. Keane feels that it is important that they prevent the likes of Andorra from taking an early lead, as it is quite possible that they might start to get men behind the ball in that kind of scenario.

"Yes, I think when you concede a goal, it's always important playing against teams, that are so-called lesser teams than you, because they get everybody behind the ball. Sometimes it's very difficult to break down, but I think certainly a lot patience (is needed) tomorrow. The thing against these teams is it's important to get the first goal. Once you get that, sometimes it opens the game up for you. But by no means is it going to be an easy game. We know that, but at the same time we obviously need to win the game".

In a game that many people expect Ireland to win comfortably, it may well be expected that Ireland will get more than the single goal that they registered against Armenia, especially if they find themselves on top. While Keane was quick to stress that winning the game was the most important, he did also state that the team are always looking to score as many goals as possible.

"I think our aim is to win a game with a clean sheet and scoring as many goals as possible. Under, sometimes, different circumstances, different games it's not as easy as you think, certainly International Football is not as easy as it used to be. Even six or seven years ago. The teams are a lot tighter now. Of course, I think we expect ourselves, and I'm sure the fans expect a few goals but, as long as we win the game, and whether we do get two, three, four goals, obviously that's going to great for the confidence of the team".

With the transfer window now closed until January, Keane is for now still a Tottenham player, though he has yet to start a competitive game for them this season. This meant that his match fitness was under some scrutiny against Armenia and, even though he looked a bit rusty at times, Keane felt good after the game and says that he actually enjoys playing games within a short space of time.

"Yes, (it helped my fitness) big time. I felt quite good considering I hadn't played for a few weeks, but in saying that I had a good few games in pre-season. So, i didn't feel tired or anything. I like playing games in a short space of time. I get a lot better and a lot sharper, and hopefully that will be the case tomorrow".

Though he did not score in the opening group game on Friday, Keane certainly had a number of chances to score during the course of the tie. While the Tallaght man does admit that it is a lot harder to create chances in International football nowadays, he also believes that they are creating enough chances in games to ensure that, even if they miss some of them, they will be able convert enough of them to win games.

"I think, as I said before, it's tougher now and you don't get as many chances as you did before. You know, it's important when you do get the chances that we do take them. Obviously, I had a couple myself that I should have done a bit better with, but that's the way it goes, and I'm sure in the future, there'll be games in the future where I'm not going to score, and there'll be games where I do score. It's about taking your chances. We are certainly creating the chances, there were three or four chances that we had (against Andorra), but we only scored the one. So, hopefully, we can turn those chances into goals".

With 43 goals from 101 appearances in an Ireland shirt, Keane is edging ever closer to 50 goals at International level. Should he achieve this, it would give him one more than England's all-time top-scorer Sir Bobby Charlton, who finished his career with 49. The former Celtic star admits that this is something he would like to achieve, especially as it would put him in the same bracket as some truly great players from yesteryear.

"Yeah, I think it is (something I'd like to achieve). I don't want to jump the gun too quickly. Now that I'm nearly close to it, of course it would be great to achieve that. I'm not really too fussed about it at the moment. It's when I get closer to it obviously I'll get a bit more excited. Hopefully that will be the case, who knows. To be in the bracket with those who are already there and have achieved that, you know it's a great honour. But there's still a few goals to got though, so I wouldn't be thinking about that too much".

Another record that is in the sights of Keane is that of the most capped Captain (in other words, the man who has made the most appearances as Captain). He is currently just behind former Chelsea and Aston Villa star Andy Townsend, who captained Ireland at the 1994 World Cup Final. This is a record that the 30-year-old was not immediately aware of, though he would consider it to be a great privilege if he did manage to achieve it.

"I didn't even know anything about that. Obviously, it's a great honour and a privilege to be captain of your country. A player like Andy Townsend, who was a tremendous player for this country. Obviously, if that is the case, then I'll be grateful", Keane said.

The last campaign proved to be one of Keane's best for the Boys In Green, and he was helped in no small part by the hard-working contribution of Wolves striker Kevin Doyle. Keane commented that both he and Doyle are getting to know each other's game a lot more now, and he thinks that the Wexford man is up there as one of the best partners that he has had since making his senior bow back in 1998.

"I think we certainly know each other's game now. Obviously Kevin's a very physical player and brilliant in the air for his size. He's not really that tall, but he's got a great leap. I think our partnership has certainly gotten stronger as it has gone on, and hopefully that will continue".

"I think he's certainly up there (as one of my best strike partners). I think it's safe to say that, since I've been with the Ireland squad, the taller players I've played with, it's kind of worked a bit better. I've probably played with Kevin a lot more now. I was with Niall Quinn at the start. It was great playing with him, I used to get on to his flick-ons all the time, and Kevin is the same. But it's not just about Kevin flicking the ball on, he's got a great touch and he can hold the ball up and bring people into the play. So, he's probably one of the best I've ever played with".

In what is a difficult time, both in terms of weather and economy, there is the potential that there may not be a full crowd at the Aviva tomorrow night. This is something that Keane fully understands, as he realises that money is tight with many people at the moment, but he still hopes that they get a good support there tomorrow night, and that people do not underestimate the standard of their opponents.

"Well, first of all, I hope that it is a full house. I can understand, tickets and prices it's difficult for people nowadays. It would be great if there was a full house, but the support is always great, and first of all I don't think we can underestimate any team, regardless of who it is. I think that would be disrespectful to them, but my message is hopefully to come to the game and enjoy it, and for Ireland to get a good win", the former Crumlin youngster added.