The man never lost it. Robbie Keane is the best goalscorer to ever play for Ireland, becoming one of the most prolific strikers in international football history during his 18 years in a green jersey.
While he may have hung up his boots for a final time last year, he clearly has not lost the instincts that made him such a deadly finisher. Lining up for a Spurs legends side against Inter Milan at the new White Hart Lane this afternoon, he was back amongst the goals once again.
He showed a decent turn of pace to get in behind the defence, and then had the awareness with his back to goal to flick the ball over Julio Cesar's head. He even broke out his trademark celebration!
That finish and celebration... 🔥
😍 Take a bow, Keano! 👏
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⚪️ #THFC 2-1 #Inter 🔵 pic.twitter.com/PxyVpXPTyx— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 30, 2019
Keane would turn provider later on, with this acrobatic pass setting up Allan Nielsen.
GOAL! 🚲 ➡️ ⚽️
An acrobatic assist from Keano and Nielsen is there to make it 3-2!
📽️ LIVE ▶️ https://t.co/JryCa1tPBp
⚪️ #THFC 3-2 #Inter 🔵 pic.twitter.com/YavdebrG7w— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 30, 2019
Get him back in the Ireland team! Keane is of course part of Mick McCarthy's coaching team with Ireland, and hopefully he can pass some of his knowledge onto the current crop of Irish strikers.
This is the second game to be held at the new Spurs ground, and the Irishman was very impressed with the stadium. Speaking before the game, he had this to say:
I was just talking to Stephen Carr and we were saying it’s like White Hart Lane, the feeling, the spirit, it’s White Hart Lane,
It’s one of the most incredible things I’ve seen in a long time. Let’s look to the future now and bringing trophies here for Tottenham Hotspur.
He is probably even more fond of it now, considering the ovation he got when he was withdrawn from the game.
Robbie Keane leaves the #SpursNewStadium pitch to a standing ovation, replaced by Dimitar Berbatov. Not a bad swap! pic.twitter.com/AIkcZq48VK
— Jake Robson (@_JakeRobson) March 30, 2019
