Soccer

Heimir Hallgrímsson unaware of criticism around Robbie Keane’s visit to Ireland camp

Nathan Collins complimentary of former Ireland captain’s interaction with the squad on Monday

Former Ireland international Robbie Keane presented Ireland caps to players during Monday's training session. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Former Ireland international Robbie Keane presented Ireland caps to players during Monday's training session. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Gavin Cummiskey
Wed Nov 13 2024 - 11:57

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson declined to comment on Robbie Keane’s time as Maccabi Tel Aviv manager, following the record Irish goalscorer’s official visit to the national camp on Monday evening.

Keane guided Maccabi to the Israeli Premier League title before stepping down in June after just one season based in Tel Aviv.

Since the FAI posted pictures of Keane presenting caps to Festy Ebosele, Troy Parrott and Sammie Szmodics on X on Tuesday afternoon, there has been sustained criticism below the tweet of the former Irish captain and the Association.

“I did not know about it,” said Hallgrímsson when asked about the social media comments.

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“[Keane] made a good speech. The players were asking him questions. I think it is good to connect the legends from the past to the present.

“What was really good was how he, as a goalscorer, a really high-profile player in 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.”

Hallgrímsson confirmed that the FAI invited Keane to speak to the players ahead of Nations League fixtures against Finland and England.

“This was a cap presentation, and is something from the federation, it is not me who decides on that one,” said the manager, “but it was a really positive gathering for the players who were presented caps from a former player. I think it is a good gesture.”

When asked if Keane’s presence in camp this week showed a disconnect between the FAI and Irish fans, Hallgrímsson replied, “I wouldn’t know. I am not the best to answer that.”

Keane, who scored 68 goals in 146 appearances for Ireland before working under Mick McCarthy as an assistant coach to the senior squad between 2018 and 2020, is believed to be seeking a new role in club management.

When Stephen Kenny replaced McCarthy as Ireland manager in 2020 he appointed Keith Andrews and Damien Duff as his assistants, instead of Keane, but the 44-year-old remained under contract to the Association and on the FAI payroll despite holding no official coaching position.

“I personally don’t believe the Association handled that situation particularly well,” said Jonathan Hill, the former FAI chief executive, in July 2021. “For that I was happy to apologise to Robbie in our conversations.”

Ireland captain Nathan Collins was complimentary of Keane’s interaction with the squad on Monday.

“As a kid growing up, these are the players you watch,” said Collins. “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. We can take a lot of things from what he said and use them in our team.”

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent