The former Tottenham Hotspur forward has been ousted as Ireland's star striker heading into the European Championship in France
COMMENT
There is a steely defiance to Robbie Keane that has long been a distinguishing trait in his character. It was there when he barely flinched at the notion of joining Marcello Lippi’s Inter Milan from Coventry City nearly 16 years ago. It was there in Japan when he somehow managed to elude the Germany defence before agonisingly squeezing the ball past the imperious Oliver Kahn in the last minute at the 2002 World Cup.