“I think it has been a good tournament from the physical side of it”, said Keane.
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When the subject of Hazard was raised at Wednesday’s Irish team press conference, ahead of Saturday’s game between against Belgium, Keane reiterated how he’d kick a player like the Belgian number 10 who has been seeking a transfer. “Most teams, the really top teams, are set up for counter attacking football anyway and we like to think that we have players who can get at people”.
“They’ve got some fantastic players but there’s nothing to fear”.
Wilmots’ squad is packed with individual talent, but he may not have all of it available to him, with both Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard in doubt for the game.
He went on to say that Ireland would not taking the challenge lightly. But they still created lots and lots of chances and we’ll have to be at our very, very best to try to get a decent result.
Brady is aware of the quality of the players the Belgium boss has at his disposal, and knows Ireland will have to at least match their performance in their 1-1 draw with Sweden if they are to add to their points total in Group E. He’s one of these lads that you think might get caught on the ball sometimes and he just manages to come up with something to get himself out of it.
“I can’t understand these players, he signed an extension of five years only last year, when we saw how brilliant he was… and then he’s coming out with all that nonsense on the eve of a big game”.
Keane was in relaxed, but determined, mood as he and manager Martin O’Neill prepared their players for a tough test against the Belgians, who slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Italy in their opening fixture and now prop up the group.
One of the most obvioius ones, Jon Walters, is all but certain to miss this game as he continues to struggles with an Achilles problem but Wes Hoolahan is not suffering any after effects of what Keane says was just a case of “fatigue” against Sweden.
That goal sparked the Swedes to life and their pressure finally paid off when Ciaran Clark headed a cross from Zlatan Ibrahimovic into his own net to deny Ireland a first victory at a major tournament since their 3-0 win against Saudi Arabia at the 2002 World Cup.
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– Robbie Keane has scored 11 goals in his last 13 starts with the Republic of Ireland.
