Richie Sadlier used his regular column in the Independent to outline why he thinks it's nonsense to suggest that Robbie Keane shouldn't be in Ireland Euro 2016 squad, and we couldn't agree more.
SEE ALSO: The Stupidly Early Ireland Squad Prediction For Euro 2016
We've seen a surprising amount of folk suggest that Keane isn't "good enough" to be a part of Martin O'Neill's final 23 for the tournament in France next summer, and while that argument may have some merit if you were looking purely at stats with no other context whatsoever, we couldn't disagree more.
Sadlier is on our side on this one, and he made his point superbly. Here is an excerpt:
The case against him goes like this: He hasn't started in any of the last four games and he turns 36 during the finals. He can't play up front on his own, a system O'Neill seems to favour. And if he hasn't the legs to start these days, he'll be even less equipped to do so in seven months' time. There's surely no room in the squad for a player like that. We need to put sentimentality to one side and to say goodbye. This is, of course, garbage.
Keane started six of the ten games in the group and came on in three others. It's not like he was a bored spectator. He may not be in contention to start as he used to be, but that doesn't mean he is worth leaving behind.
Whoever Ireland face in their group, it's hard to imagine a scenario where you wouldn't want Keane as an option coming off the bench. He has already been to two major finals with Ireland, the only outfield player available to O'Neill with that kind of experience. And when you add in the influence he has on others just by being in the dressing room, the case to go to France without him crumbles.
Not bringing Robbie to France would be absolute madness.
Richie also pointed out one photo that suggests the idea of leaving him behind hasn't entered Martin O'Neill's head, and it was one of the truly special photos to emerge from a night when there were many:
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
Robbie has to go. It would be a different question if we had a number of top-flight strikers struggling to get into the squad, but we don't. The Ireland squad is simply not the same without Keano, and his ability to sniff out a chance could prove vital during the course of the tournament.
You can read Sadlier's piece in full over on Independent.ie, and we highly recommend that you do.
