Andy Reid believes Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane provided the perfect answer to his critics with a hat-trick send-off to Lansdowne Road last night.

Keane became only the third player in Irish football history to score three goals at the decaying Dublin ground - John Aldridge (twice) and David Connolly the others - as Ireland crushed San Marino 5-0.

It was hardly the most difficult night for Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer, who took his tally for his country to 29.

But the 26-year-old played a key role as the Republic finally conjured up a victory in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Charlton midfielder Reid, who opened the scoring via a deflected free-kick in the seventh minute, feels Keane gets a raw deal and is in a no-win situation when it comes to his detractors.

"It really annoys me when people give him stick, which I can't understand because he is a fantastic player," said Reid of the Tottenham forward who has scored six goals in his last six games for club and country.

"His goals record for Ireland is absolutely outstanding, while his commitment, work-rate and all-round general play are superb. I suppose this performance was two fingers up to his critics."

After last month's humiliating 5-2 defeat to Cyprus, Ireland as a team are also fighting back, with the win over the minnows coming hard on the heels of the spirited 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic.

While San Marino were easy pickings, and should be so again when the two teams meet in the return in February, the Republic at least have a platform on which to launch their offensive against Group D leaders Germany and the Czechs.

"These are no-win games. You go out and score five, but you are expected to score five against a team like them," added Reid.

"So we did a good, professional job, with nobody taking the mickey or anything like that. We went about it in the proper way and we are delighted to get the three points and score the five goals.

"We know we've not made the best start, but we are rolling now and we move on from here. This win gets us up and running, and when you see Cyprus holding Germany, it shows this group is wide open.

"We know we are still in with a great shout of qualifying and we will be doing everything we can to do that. There are going to be other results that go for us, and it's up to us to take advantage."  PA