Robbie Keane scored his first goal in the Indian Super League on Saturday. The 37-year-old turned inside the box in the 78th minute and fired a low shot to the bottom corner, the only goal of the game as his ATK beat Dehli Dynamos 1-0.
Keane missed the first two games of the season through injury. Yesterday was his third appearance for the club.
ATK are managed by Keane's former Spurs teammate Teddy Sheringham. During the week, Sheringham told Indian news agency IANS that Keane would be returning home for a fortnight. "He is going home for a couple of weeks, ya," said Sheringham who is in his first season as manager of ATK.
On Saturday, there followed some confusion regarding Keane's trip home. Quoted by Goal.com, Sheringham reportedly made an about-face regarding his comments from earlier in the week and rejected suggestions that Keane would be returning home.
I do not know where this is coming from. He is here to do his job and play football, be it anytime. I have played football during Christmas for more than 25 years. I am sure he has done for a long time now and will continue to do so.
Shortly after, the former Ireland captain contradicted his manager.
"I will be going back home for a few days. There are some players going home. Are you a policeman? I am just going home for a few days to spend Christmas with the family," Keane told reporters.
Keane has indeed returned home. On Christmas Eve, he posted a video on Instagram of him surprising his two sons in Dublin.
ATK's next game is not until New Year's Eve. As Keane said, he has returned home for "a few days", meaning it's likely he will be back in Kolkata for that game against Goa.
Whether or not Teddy Sheringham knows what is going on is another thing.
Picture: ISL
