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Keane hopes to revive celebration

Robbie Keane hopes to revive his cartwheel celebration
Robbie Keane hopes to revive his cartwheel celebration

Robbie Keane has promised to bring back his cartwheel celebration if Tottenham get past Arsenal tonight and go on to Carling Cup glory at Wembley.

Keane had given up his trademark routine but revived it when he netted his 100th goal for Spurs with a late strike against Sunderland at the weekend.

'I will put it back in the box for another special occasion, hopefully the cup final,' said the 27-year-old Republic of Ireland striker.

With the semi-final poised at 1-1 from the first leg, Spurs need a goalless draw after extra time tonight at White Hart Lane but will probably be required to defeat Arsenal for the first time since 1999 if they are to book a place at Wembley.

Keane believes there is little to choose between the two sides after a narrow win for Arsenal in the league last month and the draw 13 days ago.

'It's a massive game for the club and the players and we go in with a lot of confidence,' he said. 'In the last two games against them we've been the better team and we should have won both games.

'We know it's going to be difficult but if we continue the way we've been going it's a game for us to win.'

Keane feels reaching a final at Wembley and winning silverware would be the next stage for Spurs as they progress under head coach Juande Ramos.

He added: 'I've never played there before and it would be a great occasion. For the players it would be great but the club need something like this to progress and push on further than we're doing already.'

Spurs, who have Steed Malbranque returning from suspension, appear to be motivated by losing to Arsenal at the same stage last year.

'When you go out in the semi-final of any competition it is always heart-breaking,' said centre-back Michael Dawson. 'And to go out to Arsenal was that little bit more disappointing.'

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas added on Sky Sports News: 'We walked into the changing room afterwards and there was a lot of disappointment. We don't want to feel that again.'

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