HE may have returned home after a disappointing Euro 2012 campaign but a new book about Ireland captain Robbie Keane is still a cracking good read.
The glittering domestic and international career and personal life of the much loved footballer from Tallaght is the subject of the biography entitled
‘Robbie Keane: A Striker’s Story’.
Penned by one of Ireland’s top soccer writers, Paul Lennon, it was launched just in time for the European Championships.
According to the book, the art of goal-scoring is one that always captivates football fans. And in Robbie Keane, Ireland has one of European football’s most phenomenal success stories.
The 31-year-old Tallaght man, who began his career at Fettercairn YFC and Crumlin Utd, has scored 53 goals in 115 senior international appearances for his country.
From making his club debut with Wolves in August 1997 to his current exploits for LA Galaxy, Keane has made almost 600 club appearances and scored more than 200 goals.
He has clocked up almost e100 million in transfer fees since he made his first professional move from Wolves to Coventry City in August 1999. He has also played at Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Leeds United.
Mr Lennon, who is soccer correspondent for the Irish Daily Star, told Southside People how he believes Keane’s natural abilities have made him one of Ireland’s most successful footballers.
“He has this incredible ability to know where to be in the penalty area when the ball comes in,
? Mr Lennon explained.
“The really good strikers are born with that.
“He may not have the most electric pace and at times he can miss a fair quota of chances in a given game or over a series of games yet he will always bounce back and get a really good winner or a great strike from outside the box or else just a tap in.
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Mr Lennon said that Keane had all the traits necessary to fulfil his role of captain on the field but added that he is equally as well liked and respected off the pitch.
“When I was writing the book of all the 50 or 60 people I spoke to I think you could easily count on one hand those who had negative things to say about him,
? Mr Lennon revealed.
“This is interesting for a major sportsman who has dealt with hundreds of people in the game and outside of it.
“He just has that ability to get the best out of those around him. He has a really good personality when it comes to dealing with people. If you watch him on the pitch he is forever chatting to his teammates, giving them advice.
“He is very liked by other players, the managers respect him and other people in the game including officials have a lot of time for him.
“Those qualities are the reasons why he was appointed Ireland captain six years ago. He captained his country at 25, which is relatively young, and he was also vice-captain at Spurs at 24, which also shows that they had a lot of faith in him.
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Mr Lennon noted that Keane also has a good relationship with Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
“There is very much a father son type relationship there. There is no doubt that Trap likes him, and it is reciprocal.
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In addition, he noted that the Tallaght man has not forgotten his Southside roots.
“He is a Tallaght man first and foremost,
? Mr Lennon added.
“He has never forgotten where he came from. He would go back and visit people from Crumlin who were invited to his wedding four years ago. He is very much in touch with his roots.
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Robbie Keane: A Striker’s Story is available in paperback in book stores nationwide and from www.paperweightpublications.ie priced
?¬11.99