Robbie Keane Is The Perfect, Sentimental Signing To Clinch Promotion For Wolves

Robbie Keane Is The Perfect, Sentimental Signing To Clinch Promotion For Wolves
12:06, 05 Jan 2018

Apparently seeing out his career with Atletico del Kolkata {ATK} in the Indian Super League, Robbie Keane appeared to have begun his slink towards the finishing line as a player.  However, a January transfer rumour that Keane could be returning to Wolverhampton Wanderers, has caught the imagination.

Keane scored his second goal in four games on Wednesday for the West Bengali side, managed by Teddy Sheringham; a former teammate of Keane’s at Tottenham Hotspur.  Keane is due to remain in India until the end of the five-month season in March.  But by that stage, he may be making cameo’s – or more  – at Molineux.

Keane, who having moved from Dublin as a teenager, followed the same path of a multitude of compatriots.  The reality is, for all the talent that travel to England, Scotland and beyond, the majority do not cut a long-term career abroad.  However in Keane’s case, so innate was his talent and so applied his work-rate, he was quick to make an impact.

Keane moved to the West Midlands on his 16th birthday having been spotted by a Dublin-based scout, Eddie Corcoran.  36 goals in the youth team was sufficient to illustrate that his talent was prodigious.   When he made his debut for Wolves under the guidance of Mark McGhee, he didn’t disappoint.

Wearing no 8 in Wolves pristine white away jersey, in the easy summer sun of early season, Keane immediately caught the attention.  Norwich City were the opposition, and the Carrow Road faithful had hopes of a bright start to a promotion-chasing season.  Keane though, illuminated the game with two strikes that sunk the home side.

Both goals were typical of Keane in terms of the fact that he came from deep.  His first goal a half-volley from a ball that dropped to him in space on the edge of the box.  The adroit finish and its pace, taking Norwich by surprise.  And into the footballing lexicon and public consciousness came the athletic cart-wheeled celebration.  

If the home side didn’t have sufficient time to react to his opening strike, the second was a case of the former Republic of Ireland captain exploiting an inability to close down space, and frankly, get anywhere near Keane.

A through ball to Keane saw him pick up the ball on the edge of the area.  He had already anticipated the pass and had gained a marginal advantage on his marker, eluding him and opening up space in the box.  When Norwich’s rear-guard closed him down he dragged the ball back with his right foot, dragging it away from the now missed tackle.  A flurry of yellow shirts though honed in on him.  The deftest of  flicks found the most marginal of chinks in the Norwich defence, and Keane struck a brilliant finish.   

As two Norwich defenders lay bereft of belief on the Carrow Road Turf; one head in hands, another thumping the ground, it was clear this was a special talent.  Keane would go on to score 11 goals that season and 16 the following season before finally moving to Coventry in 1999.

It was more than just the goals.  Keane’s work-rate off the ball was something that would never leave his game and his want to win was clear.  Keane was raw talent in the sense he was young, fresh and hungry.  But he had a cultured footballing brain and a style of both technical excellence and finesse.

The fact that Keane is still playing at 37 is reflective of his drive.  To return twenty years after making his debut would be, on the surface, fairy tale stuff.  But Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo wouldn’t be making a nostalgic signing of no significance.

Wolves may be in the driving seat, but they’ve won nothing yet.  Promotion is likely, but not guaranteed.  And they are the team to beat.  As teams tighten up more and more defensively, a figure like Keane could prove highly beneficial.  Tight spaces are were Keane operates best.  Experienced, nuanced and with innate technical ability, Keane could be the player to add that finishing touch.

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