Keane respects Italian threat

Robbie Keane does not necessarily subscribe to the theory that Italy are not the force they once were.

The World Cup holders arrived in Dublin this evening for tomorrow's Group 8 showdown with the Republic of Ireland still to shake Giovanni Trapattoni's men off their tails.

Marcello Lippi has attracted a deal of criticism at home for his side's performances throughout the campaign despite the fact they have won six and drawn two of their eight games to date, while his refusal to select Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano has sparked a lengthy national debate.

However, Keane, who knows all about the Italian passion for football from his spell with Inter Milan earlier in his career, has few doubts about the quality with which he and his team-mates will have to contend at Croke Park.

Asked if they are as good as when they won the World Cup in 2006, he said: 'They are obviously still a top team. If you look at the players they have lost since then, there are some massive players and players who are very well known.

'People talk about probably not knowing as many Italy players as they did then. But they are still a good team and they are leading this group, so they are doing something right.

'We know they are a good team and we have to be very wary of them. They have some quality players still in the team, so it is going to be a tough game.

'But I don't think we fear anyone, to be honest, no matter who, if they are the world champions or not. We know we are quite capable on our day of beating anyone and it's a game we are certainly looking forward to.'

Ireland have, of course, been close to qualification for major tournaments before and not made it.

However, skipper Keane, one of several survivors of the 2002 World Cup campaign in the Far East, has sensed a new resilience under Trapattoni.

He said: 'We have good characters in the squad and players who are desperate to play in the World Cup. This is the best opportunity we have had for a long time, since 2002. It has the same feeling as it did then.

'We have got players who believe we are quite capable of going to South Africa, and players who are desperate to go there. I have been very fortunate to play in a World Cup before and the lads are talking about how desperate they are to play in a World Cup.

'But as well, we have a good squad of players and good strength in depth now which we probably haven't had over the last few years, and that's certainly helped.'

The Irish know even victory in both of their remaining qualifiers - they face Montenegro in Dublin on Wednesday evening - may not be enough to send them directly to South Africa, and the news that the play-offs will be seeded has done them few favours.
However, Keane remains bullish about their chances if that is the path they have to take.

He said: 'Obviously, for the teams like ourselves, it's a bit disappointing. It would have been fair if everyone was on a level par.

'Obviously, we are disappointed with that. But at the same time, there are not going to be any easy games. No matter who we get, it was always going to be difficult.'