Euro 2012 play-offs – Estonia v Republic of Ireland:Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has yet to decide who will partner Robbie Keane up front for tomorrow's Euro 2012 play-off with Estonia.
In a departure from the norm, the Italian will keep his opposite number guessing with either Jonathan Walters or Simon Cox due to get the nod with Kevin Doyle suspended and Shane Long missing through injury.
Traditionally, the Italian has used his pre-match press conferences to confirm his starting line-ups but left a vacancy alongside Keane’s name when addressing the media in Tallinn this evening.
Keane professed to be in the dark as to how his strike partner would be at this evening’s briefing, declaring himself equally comfortable alongside either player
“I’ve played with Simon a good few times so I know the way he plays,” the LA Galaxy star said. “I haven’t played with Jon yet, but know his game. He did well the last time, he’s a handful and I’ve seen him play for Stoke many, many times.”
Now in the twilight of his career, the 31-year-old recognises this will be his last chance to reach the finals of a major tournament. In that he is not alone, and the senior players are determined not to let the opportunity slip through their fingers.
Asked how those barren summers have been, he said: “A pain in the a***, to be honest with you. It’s even hard to watch, especially the last World Cup, when we were that close.
“This is what you play football for, this is why we are here. Playing the friendly games is great and playing for your country is the best experience you can have. But this is why you play football, to play in these big competitions, and we can’t let it slip away.
“This is a great opportunity for everyone,” he added. “It could be my last opportunity (to reach a major finals), just like Shay Given and Richard Dunne. We all know we have to grab it with both hands.”
And Keane admits the heartache of Ireland’s controversial World Cup play-off defeat by France two years ago has simply increased his hunger.
“I have been fortunate to play in a World Cup, which was one of the best experiences of my life, but I haven’t played in a European Championships yet.
“Every time you watch one of the TV, you are just desperate to be there. We haven’t qualified for 20-odd years, so it would mean a hell of a lot to me and the whole country.
“We have worked really, really hard to get where we are, so we can’t let this just slip away. I know for a fact every player is desperate for this.
“Listen, this could change the whole country, give the whole country a massive, massive boost, which it hasn’t had for a while.”
Ireland’s most recent play-off adventures have been played out in front of packed houses in Tehran and Paris, while tomorrow night’s first leg will unfold in front of a capacity 10,000-strong crowd at the neat A Le Coq Arena.
However, Keane insists the surroundings make little difference to the task at hand.
“You have to treat every game the same. You have to respect your opponents — they are here for a reason. They have obviously done well and they are in the exact same situation as us.
“Of course, when you are playing teams like France who are the favourites and have got these world star players, Estonia don’t have that, but do we?”
Earlier this afternoon, Estonian boss Tarmo Ruutli paid Ireland the highest compliment and described them as his dream team. Trapattoni’s Euro 2012 rival has been studying the Irish players on DVD all week.
He has yet to name his team for Friday night’s play-off first leg in Tallinn but expects a surprise or two from Trapattoni.
“Sometimes when I look at the videos I dream that it is my team, that I can lead them,” said Ruutli at his pre-match press conference.
“They are quality players, the team is very good that we will play against. I cannot say that I was happy to draw them in the play-off but we must be ready for them.”
Asked about Trapattoni, Ruutli said: “He is of course very experienced and I will not be surprised if he finds some extra steps for tomorrow. We can say he is an old fox.”
Ruutli may announce his team after tonight’s training session in the A Le Coq Arena. Red Bulls striker Joel Lindpere will start on the bench after his return from a two-year self-imposed exile.
Rep of Ireland:Given (Aston Villa); Kelly (Fulham), Dunne (Aston Villa), St Ledger (Leicester City), Ward (Wolves); Duff (Fulham), Whelan (Stoke City), Andrews (Ipswich Town), McGeady (Spartak Moscow); Keane (Keane), Walters (Stoke City) / Cox (West Brom).
