Hogan and Maguire want to live up to Keane

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has repeatedly bemoaned the fact that he inherited Keane, who scored 68 international goals in 146 appearances for his country, as a 33-year-old when he took the job in November 2013.

Jonathan Walters and James McClean have come closest to restoring a measure of the firepower created by the former Tottenham and Liverpool marksman since he ended his Republic career in 2016.

With Shane Long's goals having largely dried up and Aiden O'Brien's international career in its infancy, Aston Villa's Hogan and Preston's Maguire are relishing an admittedly daunting challenge.

Hogan, who is yet to play for club or country this season because of a groin injury, said: "It's difficult, obviously. When someone scores that many goals, it's a hard act to follow.

"You've just got to do what you can, believe in what you're good at. You've just to concentrate on yourself.

"What's gone is gone. He is a hard act to follow - maybe impossible to follow - but you just have to take each game as it comes and hopefully get halfway near the level someone sets."

Maguire, who made his first start for Ireland alongside debutant Hogan in Turkey in March, is equally realistic about the task, but also excited about the prospect of taking it on in Saturday's Nations League clash with Denmark and the game against Wales.

He said: "We haven't had that goalscorer since Keane left. I don't think we will ever fully replace him, given the number of goals he has scored for his country.

"I feel there is an opportunity for one of the four new lads coming in to stake a claim for a jersey.

"If I get the opportunity, hopefully I do step up to the plate and play a crucial part, if that's coming off the bench or from the start of the game. We'll see what happens."