Keane: Ireland hero, with the stats to support the legend

After it was announced this week that the striker would hang up his boots to take up a coaching role with the FAI, now is as good a time as any to appreciate his many achievements in the game.

In comparison to a fellow member of the Premier League goal scoring 100 club, Keane's medal tally does not come close to that of Ivory Coast icon Didier Drogba. 

Yet in terms of individual impact, Keane's goal scoring exploits sit among the greatest strikers to have ever graced the English top flight. 

While Drogba scored 104 Premier League goals, Keane struck 126. Drogba broke double figures in five of his nine seasons at Chelsea, but Keane did so at just 18 with Coventry City, and then followed up the feat in seven consecutive seasons later on in his career. 

Keane is among the top 20 scorers in Tottenham Hotspur history, Premier League history and he is the outright top scorer in the entire history of the Republic of Ireland. 

The Irishman began his career as a 17 year old with Wolverhampton Wanderers, and after scoring 16 goals in his debut season in the first division, he never once looked back. 

As told to 'Sky Sports' Wolves legend Don Goodman was amazed by the confidence of the Dublin born striker in his formatory years at the midlands club. 

Of the young Keane, Goodman said: "It was refreshing that a young player who had been doing so well in the youth team by expressing himself with flicks and tricks didn't come into the first team and change the way he played."

He added: "He continued to play without fear and while I never doubted for a second that he would have a brilliant career, I suppose his achievements have surprised even me... None of that success changed him. I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for that because there are too many lads who allow fame and fortune to go to their heads."

 

August 9, 2017

After Wolves came an incredible spell at Inter Milan; where among the big names of Ronaldo, Christian Vieri and Hakan Sukur, Keane rarely had the chance to shine.

Returning to England, first on loan and then permanently, with Leeds United, was where Keane's fledgling career was somewhat revived. 

He scored nine goals in his first 14 starts for the Elland Road club, before once more, first team opportunities became limited, and his form began to falter. 

 

January 12, 2018

Yet a blessing in disguise would fall the Irishman's way in 2002-03, when Leeds were embroiled in a series of high debts and he was sold to top flight side Tottenham Hostpur for £7 million

It was with Tottenham Hotspur, where Keane well and truly wrote his name into the history books.

Keane spent the best years of his career with the North London side, scoring 122 goals over two spells with the club. 

The striker also sandwiched a spell with Liverpool between his Tottenham stays. Sadly not even the tutelage of Rafa Benitez could bring the best out of the injury plagued star, as he returned to Tottenham a year later. 

Former teammate Danny Murphy remembers his time alongside Keane with fondness, as the Irishman's adaptability lended itself to him being paired with almost any type of strike partner in the business.

 

November 28, 2018

Murphy told 'Sky Sports': "He was a goalscorer but he could create as well as score. He could drop off and play from the middle of the park and play round corners. He was a very clever footballer and his movement was incredible."

Keane's time at Tottenham will be forever linked to his devastating partnership with Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov, as the pair enjoyed several years together, spearheading the Tottenham charge up the table.

After various loan spells across the UK; encompassing Celtic, West Ham United and Aston Villa, Keane took one last adventure in the form of a move to the MLS. 

He signed for LA Galaxy, scoring over 100 goals and winning the MLS Cup three times as captain of the side.  

Keane even squeezed in a stint as player manager for Indian Super League side Atlético de Kolkata before calling time on his long career. 

Now, Keane finally looks to step into management, as an assistant for the Republic of Ireland national side under the reign of Mick McCarthy. 

If there is one thing for sure, it is that if Keane is as committed and driven in his coaching career as he was on the pitch, he will surely be a resounding success as a manager.