2 weeks Ago By Martin Healy
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson praised Robbie Keane for bringing a ‘really good message’ to the players after his visit to the international camp earlier this week. On Tuesday, the Irish team’s social media feed lit up with pictures of the country’s record international goalscorer meeting the players. The Dubliner had returned to camp for the first time since his stint as an assistant to Mick McCarthy in 2019 for the annual caps presentation.
Keane’s appearance, however, led to a tidal wave of backlash from a number of aggrieved Ireland supporters. The 44-year-old made the controversial decision last year to take charge of Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who he subsequently led to the league title. Criticism of his decision grew following Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks last year, with the likes of Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald hitting out at the ex-striker’s decision to work in the country.
Although Keane left the manager’s role in the summer, Maccabi became the centre of international headlines last week following their fans’ brutal clashes with Ajax supporters in Amsterdam last Thursday before a Europa League tie. Asked whether there is a ‘disconnect’ between fans and the squad over Keane’s appearance in front of the squad, Hallgrimsson says he ‘wouldn’t know’ about that or any criticism of the former international star for his work in Israel. He added: ‘Yeah he had a good speech.
The players were asking him questions. I think it is good to connect past players, the legends from the past to the present.’ ‘What was really good was how he, as a goal scorer, really high profile player at his time, was talking about the importance of team unity, fighting for each other, team spirit.
‘It was probably not what you would think a striker would say, scoring all his goals, but I think it was a really good message to the players. ‘We did the same in Jamaica. Brought in old legends just to connect the past and the present.
I think it was a good thing.’ Ireland return to action at the Aviva on Thursday against Finland in a game where a win will make sure of the Boys in Green remaining in League B. Nathan Collins feels that the visit from Keane on the eve of the Nations League clash will help the squad with plenty of useful advice.
‘As a kid growing up, these are the players you watch,’ the defender explained. ‘You watch him every international camp, you watch him score his goals for Ireland. ‘You can’t talk to him on a personal level back then, you can just see what he is doing on the pitch but now you see them on a personal level, what it means to him and what his team did.
It’s nice to know that we are in a similar boat and what we are building here is what they had as well.’.
