Ireland captain Robbie Keane celebrated his record breaking 126th international cap with a hat-trick as Ireland defeated the Faroe Islands 3-0 in a Group C World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
The LA Galaxy striker opened the scoring after five minutes following some excellent build-up play by Wes Hoolahan and Aiden McGeady, before adding his second in the 55th minute, getting on the end of a Seamus Coleman cross.
And the third goal arrived nine minutes from time as Keane rounded off a fine man of the match performance with a neat finish following an exquisite pass from substitute Conor Sammon.
Giovanni Trapattoni labelled Robbie Keane the best Irish player he has seen in 30 years after the striker's hat-trick earned Ireland a World Cup qualifying victory over the Faroe Islands.
He said: "I particularly wish to congratulate our captain because for 30 years, I have known the Irish team and the Irish players and for me, he is the best Irish player I have known in 30 years.
"I wish to congratulate him because he scored. At the moment, he is in good form, but I repeat what I said yesterday, he is also one of the best players in Europe."
Trapattoni and his players head for New York tomorrow for Tuesday's friendly against Spain, although Shane Long and McGeady will not be travelling because both are to be married, while Marc Wilson is due to have surgery to remove a metal plate from his leg.
Robbie Keane celebrated his record-equalling 125th cap with two goals as Ireland ran out easy 4-0 winners over Georgia.
The game turned in the 20th minute when Georgia had goalkeeper Giorgi Loria sent off for bringing down Shane Long after he was sold short by a backpass, and from there on Ireland had it relatively easy as they prepare for next Friday's World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands.
Keane came on as a substitute at half-time to move level with Shay Given on 125 caps, and he soon added his 55th and 56th international goals, adding to strikes from Richard Keogh - his first for Ireland - and Simon Cox.
"Of course it's always nice to score goals as a striker," Keane told Sky Sports. "It's very important for the confidence.
"I felt a bit sorry for them with the red card, it was a shame and it killed the tempo of the game.
"We wanted a bit of a test before next week's game but it gives us confidence."
Asked about the caps milestone, he added: "If you asked me 10 years ago would I get this many caps, I'd say you were crazy."
"I'm obviously delighted and it’s something I can look back on in years to come but at the moment I just hope to get a few more."
With Keane starting among the substitutes, Shane Long captained the side for the first time as he is suspended for Friday's qualifier.
"It's an unbelievable honour," he said. "At half-time I offered Robbie the band but he said, 'No, it's your night, you keep it'. I'm delighted, it's a big honour and it's nice to get a win.
"It would have been nice to get a goal as well but that's the way it goes."
Long will now leave the Irish camp due to his suspension.
"It's a shame," he added. "I would really like to play alongside Robbie next week but I managed to pick up two yellow cards so I'm going to miss it and instead I'm going to get married in a couple of weeks."
Ireland face the Faroe Islands on Friday night and after an encouraging week of friendlies - a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley followed by today's easy win - Keane is eager to make it count.
"If gives you confidence and it's important to win games," he said. "Next week against the Faroes people expect us to win the game and really we should, but to be honest we can't take it too lightly.
"You have to give the teams a lot of respect and do it in the right way on the pitch. Hopefully we get the three points. It's been a very good week for the players but the main game is next week. These two games mean nothing apart from pride."
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has challenged his Ireland players to prove they are every bit as good as England's in Wednesday night's friendly international at Wembley.
It will be the first meeting between the two countries since the abandoned game in Dublin in 1995.
Trapattoni said: "The players play in England for Stoke and many teams; the England players play for Manchester United, they play for Arsenal.
"But we can show them we are the same - that's very important. That's a stimulation for me, it's very important that they show they are every bit as good."
Trapattoni and and England manager Roy Hodgson are old foes from their days in club management in Italy and bumped into each other at the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday evening.
However, the Ireland boss was less than sympathetic over his English counterpart's injury troubles.
He said with a smile: "I met him at Wembley. He told me he has doubts about missing some players, but I don't think so.
"He's missing Gerrard - okay; Carroll is also out, but they have a strong team. They have others - Defoe, Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck - it's okay, he has enough offensive players.
"But I have confidence because our team in the last game gave me much trust."
The game will be one of four Ireland will play over the next two and a half weeks with the World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Dublin on 7 June by far the most important.
However, a much-anticipated renewal of acquaintances with England and a glamour friendly against world and European champions Spain in New York have their own attraction.
Trapattoni will use the depth of his squad against England as he uses that fixture and Sunday's friendly against Georgia in Dublin to finalise his plans for the Faroe Islands.
However, he knows a positive result against England would do his players little harm.
He said: "I changed countries four times and every country showed me many different situations.
"People pay their money and they want to see a show, but they also want a result. When you play not so well, but you have achieved a result, the supporters are 50 per cent happy; if you play well and lose the game, 51 per cent are not happy."
Irish captain Robbie Keane is not expected to meet up with the rest of his team-mates until tomorrow after club LA Galaxy's game against Seattle Sounders during the early hours of this morning, with Toronto's Darren O'Dea and Spartak Moscow's Aiden McGeady were also expected to be late arrivals.
Ireland striker Robbie Keane has already become Aston Villa’s in-game gaffer by shouting out pitch instructions to his short-term colleagues.
Keane has ingratiated himself to team-mates and fans alike with his brilliant double in the 3-2 victory at Wolves last Weekend and it capped an amazing full Villa start for the 31-year-old Irish captain who is currently on loan from LA Galaxy.
And Villa player Marc Albrighton has revealed that the record Irish striker’s guidance has been just as important as his goals.
“I was watching Goals on Sunday the day after the Wolves match and it was interesting to listen to Chris Kamara’s comments about Keano,” said Albrighton.
“He made the point that Keano was almost performing a manager’s role on the pitch with the other lads.
“He was telling everyone where to go and where to pass it. That’s something he’s definitely bringing to the side.
“If he can keep doing that and keep banging in the goals, we’ll all be delighted.
“He’s not only a great person to play with he’s also a nice guy to have around the place too.
“The young boys look up to him and know they can learn from him. To be training with a player with the wealth of experience like Keano is just brilliant.”
Albrighton believes all of Villa’s attacking players will benefit greatly from playing alongside Keane before his loan spell ends at the end of February.
“Robbie thinks one step ahead of everyone else,” said Albrighton.
“Not only does he see the pass before everyone else, he has the ability to execute it too
“He’s never played really as a target man, as such, he drops off into gaps and little pockets of space and he can punish people from finding these areas.
“He has the ability to thread the balls through to people like Benty, Gabby, Charles and myself and if he doesn’t do that and decides to shoot instead, we’ve all seen what happens then!
“He can only help our team and he certainly did that on Saturday.”
Ireland captain Robbie Keane believes their Euro 2012 play-off tie against Estonia is all but over after their 4-0 first-leg win.
Keane scored twice as his team thrashed their nine-man hosts in Tallinn.
"It is a great result. This game should be over now and if we don't qualify we'll be devastated," said Keane ahead of Tuesday's return leg in Dublin.
"We deserve to go through because of the way we have played in the campaign. There is confidence in the squad."
Estonia will be missing missing first-choice keeper Sergei Pareiko and central defenders Raio Piiroja and Andrei Stepanov through suspension for Tuesday's return leg.
But Giovanni Trapattoni was keen to stress that his side must keep their focus.
"The cat is in the sack, but the sack is not closed," said the 72-year-old. "The cat is in it, but it's open - and it's a wild cat.
"But we have to have respect for our opponents for what they have achieved in this qualification campaign.
"At this moment, we are near qualifying at 4-0. But I repeat the same sentence: don't jump the gun."
Keane, who has now scored 55 international goals, was full of praise for his fellow goalscorers after Keith Andrews opened the scoring and Jonathan Walters notched his first international goal.
"Jonathan Walters is brilliant," added Keane. "He's a handful and he deserved to score. Keith was superb from the start and he drove us on from midfield."
Andrews admitted the result had come as a bit of a shock.
"It hasn't sunk in yet. It's hard to believe we have come here and won 4-0," said the Ipswich Town midfielder.
"I thought we played very well, harried them and fortunately got the result.
"If we keep a clean sheet it will be a fantastic night on Tuesday. Over the past few years this group has really come together."
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni believes the stunning 4-0 win over Estonia in the first leg of the Euro 2012 qualifying play-off last night demonstrated the progress his players have made in recent times.
Ireland stand on the verge of qualifying for the tournament in the Poland and Ukraine after a comprehensive success over their hosts, demonstrating great attacking quality, a feature often lacking under the Italian.
He said: "We came into the situation where players didn't answer the call to join the squad. They understood how serious we were and we called them up on merit. We brought in 10 or 12 young players and showed mentality and character.
"After the Carling Nations tournament and the Italy and Macedonia matches, we decided this (attacking) approach. Years ago maybe not, now we can be confident.
"I told you yesterday that many time I have been at the end of the cliff. Matches like this are what I call top level matches. But achieving one objective is not important. We must focus on what comes next and the future. I do not look back."
The Aviva Stadium will host the second leg on Tuesday on what is
likely to be a celebratory night with the Republic on the verge of
qualification.
Trapattoni is looking forward to trying to seal a place in Euro 2012.
"The fans pay the tickets and it's a great sacrifice. We deserve to
celebrate this result.
"We must be proud. All the players called up must be proud. The
players answered us and when you call the players sometimes they didn't answers. Now they all do and they all believe."
Robbie Keane has insisted that Ireland will be going all out for victory in tonight's Euro 2012 play-off clash against Estonia.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green' will start in Tallinn knowing that a draw would be a decent result to take back to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening. However, Keane is adamant that a win will be the only thing on their minds as they attempt to take a major stride towards qualification for next summer's Euro finals.
He said: "Listen, as players, you don't go into a game thinking you are going to draw, it's impossible to do it. You go into every game thinking you are going to win it, so we are going into this game thinking that we can win it because there is no reason why we can't."
He added: "We have the players to do it and we have the mentality to do it, so there's no reason why we can't do it.
"We go into every game with the same mentality, that we can win this and we can score goals."
Ireland's recent run of form backs up Keane's claims - they are unbeaten in nine games and have conceded just one goal in the process.
Keane is confident that is evidence of the improvement they have made under Trapattoni's guidance in the last three and a half years or so.
He said: "You have seen over the years since the manager has come in, we have grown as a team, we have got better with each game and that reflects in our performances and the fact that we haven't lost too many games.
"Of course, we are a better team. The players are getting more experienced and able to handle different situations, so we are certainly a better team than we were a couple of years ago."
Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli has told Ireland's players they could be preparing for the most important games of their lives as they attempt to book a trip to the Euro 2012 finals in Poland & Ukraine next summer.
Ireland face Estonia in a two-legged play-off over the next seven days with a place at next summer's tournament at stake.
A World Cup winner himself, Tardelli knows exactly what kind of exposure that can give a player even beyond the honour of representing their country on the big stage.
He said: "It's the match of their life for many players. It's important to qualify because the players need a boost as well in terms of new contracts and visibility.
"The European Championships give the players good visibility and for some players, maybe it is the last chance to be seen around the world.
"It's important, and it is important also for the Irish people.
"If a player plays in the Championship and maybe he plays well at the European Championships, it's possible to sign a new contract or play in the Premier League or in another country.
"This is important. I don't know for other players, but for me, it was very important because I am very close to my country, and I think these players are very close to their country.
"I felt very emotional when I stood on the pitch during the national anthem. I don't know for other players, but I think it's the same thing."
Whatever else qualification would bring - and contract extensions for manager Giovanni Trapattoni, assistant Tardelli and the rest of the staff could depend on it - it would end a 10-year wait for Ireland.
Not since Mick McCarthy's side reached the 2002 World Cup finals in the Far East via a fiercely-contested play-off against Iran has the nation contested a major finals.
There have been close calls, and no closer that two years ago when only William Gallas' controversial strike with the help of Thierry Henry's infamous handball in Paris saw France squeeze past Ireland before hitting problems in South Africa.
Those memories remain painfully vivid for many of the players, but Tardelli insists they must be consigned to history.
Asked if the events of that night still hurt, he said: "No, it's finished. We must focus on Estonia because it's very important."
Ireland head into the play-offs as favourites, although Tardelli has warned it would be dangerous for the players to believe that.
He said: "I don't think so. When we knew the draw, we were very happy because we drew Estonia, but Estonia thought the same thing. After the draw, Estonia were very happy because they drew Ireland.
"We are not favourites. We have a 50% chance like Estonia. We are not favourites - if we think we are favourites, that is very dangerous."
While skipper Robbie Keane was a welcome sight on the training pitch at Malahide this morning, keeper Shay Given and key defender Richard Dunne were absent, along with midfielders Keith Andrews and Keith Fahey.
However, Given was having treatment for a stiff neck and back and Dunne and Fahey for minor knee problems while Andrews was simply rested, unlike unfortunate Millwall keeper David Forde, who has returned to his club with a thigh problem, with Motherwell's Darren Randolph taking his place.
Tardelli said: "Shay Given and Richard Dunne needed a rest.
"Richard has a little problem with his knee and also Shay Given has a little problem with his back, but I think it is possible for them to return tomorrow."
Simon Cox will start in attack alongside Kevin Doyle for Ireland in tomorrow's vital Euro 2012 qualifier with Armenia in the Aviva Stadium. It was widely expected that in-form West Brom striker Shane Long would partner doyle, in the event of Robbie Keane failing his fitness battle.
Stephen Kelly comes in for the suspended Stephen Ward.
Richard Dunne returns from his ban to the Irish central defence with Darren O'Dea dropping out.
Ireland team to play Armenia:
Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne, John O'Shea, Aidan McGeady, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Simon Cox.
Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is being given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Tuesday night's Euro 2012 showdown with Armenia in Dublin.
The 31-year-old Dublin born striker is a major doubt for the game at the Aviva Stadium which will decide Ireland's Group B fate as they attempt to secure a play-off berth.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday revealed Keane was to undergo a scan on a sore abductor muscle, and it was later confirmed that his chances of making the game were minimal.
Today it emerged the problem is actually an adductor muscle injury, and while assistant manager Marco Tardelli was refusing to rule the Los Angeles Galaxy frontman out of a fixture in which his country need to avoid defeat to finish second in the group, the chances of him playing appear to be slim.
Tardelli said: "Robbie has a little problem, but we are hopeful he will recover. It will be very difficult, but we are hopeful.
"It's the same problem he had after the last match in Los Angeles.
"Yesterday, he had a scan and he has a little problem - a big problem, not a little problem."
Asked to put a percentage on Keane's chances, Tardelli said: "I don't know. It is better to ask the doctor. There is very little possibility that he will recover, but we are hopeful."
But asked further if he would have been able to play had the game been today amid suggestions he could be sidelined for a fortnight, he added: "No, no, I don't think so."
Keane and his team-mates endured a gruelling trip back from Friday night's 2-0 victory in Andorra, which involved a three-hour coach journey from the Pyrenean principality to Barcelona and then a delayed flight of almost the same length, eventually arriving back in Dublin shortly before 7am yesterday.
Those members of the squad who played at the Estadi Comunal were rested from an open training session at Tallaght Stadium yesterday afternoon, but the bulk of them, Keane excepted, were back in action at a windswept Gannon Park in Malahide this morning.
Among them was Stoke striker Jonathan Walters, who met up with his colleagues on their return after missing the trip to Andorra with an ankle injury.
He and West Brom pair Shane Long and Simon Cox are the leading candidates to partner Kevin Doyle in a new-look front two if Keane does indeed miss out.
All three have impressed for their country in the recent past with Long in particular having established himself as a genuine option for Trapattoni's starting line-up.
However, Tardelli was giving little away today.
He said: "We have many options. We have Walters, Long, Cox - we have many options.
"We are confident in all our players. We have different solutions, but we will wait and see tomorrow."
Richard Dunne will also be available once again after serving a one-match ban in Friday's game, although left-back Stephen Ward will replace him on the sidelines after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign in Andorra.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his team for Friday's Euro 2012 Group 2 qualifier with Andorra.
John O'Shea replaces Stephen Kelly with Sean St Ledger coming in for the suspended Richard Dunne from Ireland's last game in Russia.
Trapattoni has resisted the temptation to bring Keith Fahey into the midfield after he hinted at using the Birmingham midfielder in training earlier this week.
Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews start in the middle of the park.
Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady continue on the wings with Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle leading the Republic attack.
Ireland team to play Andorra:
Shay Given, John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aidan McGeady, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane has admitted Tomorrow's Euro 2012 qualifier with Russia is a game 'The Boys In Green' cannot afford to lose if they are to maintain hopes of qualifying for the finals in Poland.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side were held by Slovakia last Friday in a disappointing performance in the Aviva Stadium and trail Russia by two points with three rounds of games remaining in Group B.
Russia emerged with a 3-2 victory in the first meeting of the teams in Dublin and Keane feels Ireland need to bring home a result ahead of games with Armenia and Andorra in the Aviva next month.
Keane told a press conference ahead of the game in Moscow: "It is a game we can't lose. We want to still be in the hunt when the last two games come around and it is vitally important we are in amongst it. There are nine points to play for. We're well aware of that.
"Our main focus is getting three points tomorrow and there is certainly a lot of games to play and anything can happen.
"I think our performances away from home, in this campaign and the last, have been very, very good. We are coming here with a lot of confidence. Of course it is always nice to come into a game on the back of a win but it wasn't the case. The most important thing is we didn't lose.
"We'll be looking for the same tomorrow and hopefully the three points. There is no reason why we can't win. Our main aim is to get something out of this game and why not? Why can't we?"
Ireland must also cope with the Luzhniki Stadium's artificial pitch, a surface Keane experienced with Tottenham Hotspur last year in Switzerland in a Champions League qualifier.
He warned his team-mates they must adjust to the pitch as quickly as possible.
"I played last year for Tottenham against Young Boys. It is certainly different to what we're used to. When we played them we were 3-0 down after 20 minutes because we couldn't get used to the pace of the pitch.
"That is something we'll try to get into the lads early doors and try to get used to the pitch as soon as possible. It is obviously going to be a complete change."
Keane was passed for the game despite a back problem while Stephen Kelly and Darren O'Dea also came into the team.
Ireland team to play Russia:
Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Richard Dunne, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Aidan McGeady, Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has rewarded Shane Long for his strong start to the season at West Brom with a starting place for tomorrow’s vital European Championship qualifier against Slovakia, with Kevin Doyle the player to miss out.
Kevin Kilbane has failed to recover from a back injury and will return to Derby County this afternoon. Damien Delaney has been drafted in to the squad to replace the veteran left back.
The rest of the line-up is along expected lines, with Shay Given passing a fitness test to take his place in nets, with John O’Shea named at right back and Richard Dunne and Seán St Ledger filling the central defensive slots.
Keith Andrew and Glenn Whelan have been named in central midfield, with the wide berths going to Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff. Robbie Keane will partner Long up front.
Wigan midfielder James McCarthy will also be called into the squad later this evening after he takes part in the Under-21 match against Hungary in Sligo.
Ireland: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane and Shane Long
Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni says winger Aiden McGeady is “100 per cent” and ready to play in the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Slovakia and Russia. The Spartak midfielder played three minutes of the Moscow derby on Sunday after missing much of the summer with an ankle injury sustained on June 10th, but met up with the Ireland squad at the first opportunity this morning and trained in Malahide.
Captain Robbie Keane is travelling from the other side of the world where he now plies his trade with LA Galaxy and will join the squad tomorrow.
The manager today spoke publicly for the first time since the striker’s move from Tottenham to Major League Soccer and appeared satisfied the decision will not affect the Tallaght man’s international future or form.
“He went with enthusiasm, he told me he was happy to go but he wanted to be with the Irish players too and he will come,” said the Italian. “Before people said he wasn’t playing enough, but I said senior players have played a lot of football and can keep their conditioning. Now I’m sure he can play despite the long flights.”
Burnley winger Keith Treacy and Sunderland defender John O’Shea will also arrive tomorrow. O’Shea featured for the first time for his new club at the weekend and played 95 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Swansea after recovering from injury.
The Irish Management team remain confident goalkeeper Shay Given will be fit after he suffered a back strain while playing for Aston Villa on Saturday. He will also join up with the squad late.
The only players to sit out training today were defenders Seán St Ledger and Darren O’Dea, and striker Shane Long, who has scored against Manchester United and Chelsea this season after leaving Reading for West Brom.
With each carrying minor knocks, their absences today were merely precautionary and Trapattoni insisted: “It was better we let them rest, the will be fine though, we are sure.”
The manager is happy the Long's form has provided him with a selection headache ahead of a big week, with Kevin Doyle, Keane and Simon Cox also vying for a place on the pitch.
"It's important to have these options. In the 90 minutes, we can start and then change. It's very important to choose every option."The Slovakia and Russia games will have a major say in the outcome of the group, with the three sides involved locked together at the top of the table on 13 points. Ireland lost at home to the Russians and drew in Slovakia in October, and there has been little to choose between the teams throughout the campaign to date.
But while Trapattoni is fully aware of the magnitude of the double-header, he is refusing even to contemplate what lies ahead in Moscow next week until the first encounter has been negotiated.
He said: "We must prepare for these two games with more attention - I say more because it is always important to improve. Every game shows us or teaches us that it is possible to improve again.
"For example, for the last game against Croatia, we were missing two or three important players. But the players who came in played well, and I am confident about them. I saw how it's possible to improve not only the system, but the attitude, mentality and how it's possible to achieve the result when we are missing one or two important players.
"Now against Slovakia and against Russia, we need to start with the winning mentality because I think we can do that. But we have to think about Russia only after three days."
Dick Advocaat's side suffered a setback yesterday when goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev was ruled out of both of their qualifiers with a knee injury sustained in the same game in which McGeady made his return.
Vyacheslav Malafeev, the Zenit St Petersburg goalkeeper capped 18 times, is likely to take his place, though Advocaat has added Dynamo Moscow’s Anton Shunin (one cap) to the squad for the home games against Macedonia, on Friday, and Ireland.
Robbie Keane marked his Los Angeles Galaxy debut with a goal as his new side defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at the Home Depot Centre.
Ireland international Keane became one of the hottest properties in Major League Soccer when he swapped Tottenham for Galaxy and showed what he can do but breaking the deadlock after 21 minutes.
Mike Magee, who replaced him 18 minutes from time, added the second for the Western conference leaders, while Steven Beitashour saw red for the Earthquakes.
"We're elated with Robbie," Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said. "He had a great 70 minutes tonight and we think there's a lot of great games ahead for Robbie and our team."
Speaking after the game Keane said "It couldn't have gone better for me. That was quite a reception and it's an experience I'm relishing."
Robbie Keane fulfilled Niall Quinn's prediction when he completed a half-century of international goals in Macedonia yesterday.
The 30-year-old Ireland skipper struck for the 50th time for his country after just eight minutes and then added a second with 37 minutes played at the Philip II Stadium in Skopje to ease his side to a vital Euro 2012 victory and exorcise the ghosts of their previous two visits.
Keane, who had a pain-killing injection in his groin before the game, said: 'I am obviously delighted to be associated with some of the names which are there. I am very delighted and very proud to be amongst that elite.
'But for me, it's all about the team and how the team performs. It's all about getting three points, and we did that tonight.'
Asked if he ever dreamt of scoring 50 goals when he set out on his senior international career as a 17-year-old, Keane replied: 'I think it would be very naive for anyone to think that.
'You can set your stall out to reach certain goals, and my goal was to reach Niall Quinn's record [of 21].
'I reached that and then you look to another one, so I am obviously delighted that I did that.
'When I first came into the Ireland squad, Niall Quinn said to me I would get 50 goals, so it's probably down to him!'
Keane's heroics came in an explosive first-half which saw Macedonia midfielder Ivan Trickovski crash a 40th-minute penalty against Shay Given's crossbar, although Ireland eased their way over the finishing line in relative comfort after the break.
The win left Giovanni Trapattoni's men locked together with Russia and Slovakia, who also collected three points tonight, at the top of Group B ahead of September clashes with both.
The Italian said: 'Slovakia [at home] is difficult, and then the game in Moscow...
'But we hope when we go in Russia, we have the possibility to win the group by beating Russia.
'We hope is to get to Russia knowing that if win the match, we can top the group.'
Should Keane maintain his prolific scoring rate - his 51 goals have come in just 108 appearances - that could be a distinct possibility.
Trapattoni said: 'Not only in Ireland, but I have seen many goalscorers, and he is in this category.
'He has personality in front of the goalkeeper. The first time I was asked about Robbie Keane, I said he could play like Totti and play also behind the striker, and I still have the same opinion.'
Ireland captain Robbie Keane has been passed fit for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday night.
Keane, who suffered a groin injury during a training session on Thursday, will partner Simon Cox in attack.
Darren O'Dea starts in defence along with Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea and Kevin Kilbane.
The line-up includes a strong midfield of Aiden McGeady, Stephen Hunt, Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews.
West Brom striker Cox earned his first Republic caps in last week's Nations Cup wins over Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Cox impressed in both games - scoring in the 5-0 win over Northern Ireland - but Shane Long had been expected to partner Keane in attack.
O'Dea gets the nod ahead of Preston defender St Ledger, who insisted he would be fit to play in central defence.
Stephen Ward impressed at left-back in the Nations Cup games against Northern Ireland and Scotland but veteran Kilbane returns to face Macedonia.
O'Shea switches to central defence and Kelly fills the right-back spot.
The Boys In Green will be aiming to stay firmly in contention in Group B by earning a positive result in Skopje.
They, like group leaders Slovakia and Russia in second, have collected 10 points from their five games to date, the last three of them against the Macedonians in Dublin in March.
Robbie Keane's strike that night secured a 2-1 victory and the completion of a double would leave the Republic in a strong position to stake their claim for a place in the finals.
Richard Dunne is suspended for the Macedonia clash while injured quartet Darron Gibson, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle and James McCarthy are unavailable as are Jonathan Walters, Anthony Stokes and Kieren Westwood.
Slovakia entertain minnows Andorra on Saturday with the Russians hosting Armenia, who trail the top three by just two points.
Ireland: Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Darren O'Dea, John O'Shea, Kevin Kilbane, Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Stephen Hunt, Robbie Keane, Simon Cox.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane has warned players to commit fully to Irelands cause or not play at all.
Keane has been bemused by the high number of players who have pulled out from international duty for the Carling Nations Cup this past week.
Ireland have had plenty of problems with mystery initially surrounding the failure of James McCarthy, Jon Walters and Marc Wilson to report for duty.
The Tottenham striker said: 'I think that is obviously clear to see. It frustrates everybody but what can you do about it? I don't know the answer.
'I have never once pulled out of a squad for any reason apart being injured. I am a proud Irishman. As a kid growing up it was always a dream to play for my country.
'I still have that same hunger and enthusiasm that I had when I first had the opportunity. That will never change for me.'
Trapattoni is equally surprised by some players' apparent lack of appetite for international football and feels they will live to regret it.
The veteran Italian boss said: 'When they retire they will understand. I never always understood what was important when I was younger. In time they will think and they will understand.'
Ireland now want to draw a line under the issue as they step up preparations for next week's return qualifier in Macedonia.
They face Scotland tomorrow in the final match of the Nations Cup in Dublin and Keane is expecting stiffer competition than in Tuesday's 5-0 trouncing of Northern Ireland.
Keane said: "They have players coming through and players established in the Premier League. It is going to be tough for us. No disrespect to Northern Ireland, I am sure it will be a bigger test.
'I watched their game (against Wales) and I was very impressed with them.'
Keane, already Ireland's record goalscorer, struck twice on Tuesday to take his tally for the country to 48 and now has his sights set on a half-century.
'If you'd asked me a few years ago when I started off, I wouldn't even have dreamed of scoring 50 goals,' he said.
'My aim was to beat Niall Quinn's record (of 21). I did that and I'm lucky enough the goals have kept coming. If I don't do it tomorrow, hopefully it will against Macedonia.
'If it does happen it will be a very proud moment, obviously I'd be delighted.'
Robbie Keane expects his Ireland team-mate Shay Given to be back playing Premiership football next season.
Manchester City goalkeeper Given has endured a frustrating year at Eastlands after losing his place in the team to Joe Hart.
The 34-year-old Donegal born goal stopper is expected to move on in the summer and Keane has underlined the qualities the former Newcastle goalkeeper offers.
The pair are currently together on international duty preparing to face Scotland in the Carling Nations Cup on Sunday and Macedonia in a Euro 2012 qualifier next week.
Tottenham striker Keane, who himself could be looking for a new club this summer, said: “I still feel he is the best ‘keeper in the Premier League.
“I’m biased because I have worked with Shay and he is a good friend but, not only that, he is a top-class goalkeeper. It has been a frustrating season for him and he has come out and said that.
“But I am sure in the summer, after getting these games behind him, he’ll look forward to a break and he’ll certainly get a club for next season, no doubt about that.
“Whoever does buy him would be getting a world-class goalkeeper and someone who is great to have around the dressing room as well.”
Keane has had a disappointing year himself after falling down the pecking order at Spurs and then suffering injuries during his loan spell with West Ham.
He feels both he and Given are happy to be away with their country this week to enjoy some time on the field.
The 30-year-old is also closing in on a half-century of international goals having taken his tally to 48 with a double strike in Tuesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Nigel Worthington's IFA side in Dublin.
Keane said: “For those who haven’t played a lot of games, they probably want to play in all the games to get their fitness and sharpness.
“Those that have played a lot are probably happy playing just one this week.”
Ireland also have another game this summer with the qualifier in Macedonia on June 4th followed by a friendly against Italy three days later.
The build-up in their training camp was overshadowed earlier in the week by the absences of Wigan’s James McCarthy and Stoke pair Jon Walters and Marc Wilson.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni said the FAI had received no explanation for their non-appearance but Wigan insisted they had informed them that McCarthy had an ankle injury.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has now said similar concerning Walters, telling the Stoke Sentinel: “Jon picked up a shoulder injury against Wigan last Sunday.
“He said he was willing to go over to Ireland to have it tested there, but the doctor got back to him to say not to bother coming over. So I know for a fact Jon is covered and he had got permission.”
Pulis did not comment on Wilson but the FAI now understand he has an ankle injury and it appears the underlying problem amid the fiasco has concerned communication.
Preston defender Sean St Ledger has been ruled out of the remaining internationals with a knee injury but Darren O’Dea is winning his battle for fitness after an ankle problem.
Robbie Keane grabbed a double as Ireland destroyed Nigel Worthinton's IFA side 5-0 in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin.
Already Ireland's all-time record goalscorer, Keane claimed his 47th and 48th goals in his 106th appearance for the national team.
It proved to be a shockingly poor display by the North, who were cheered on by a sparse band of supporters numbering less than 300.
The home side took the lead with 24 minutes gone. Keith Treacy played a one-two with Cox from a short corner before whipping into the goal-mouth. Goalkeeper Blayney threw himself at the ball but spilled in front of Ward who rifled home the opener from close range.
Ireland doubled their lead after 37 minutes when Keane pounced on a dreadful pass-back by Lee Hodson before lofting over the goalkeeper and seeing the shot nestle in the bottom corner.
There was further misery for the North when Coleman's ball across the face of goal was forced into the back of his own net by Cathcart a minute before the interval.
Nine minutes after the restart Alan Thompson was deemed to have fouled Keane in the box and was given a straight red card by Scottish referee Craig Thomson, before the Tottenham striker dusted himself off and slotted low past Blayney from the penalty spot.
Keane was then replaced by Andy Keogh to rapturous applause from the crowd.
A commotion then followed in the section housing the North's fans, however order was quickly restored by the stewards.
But Blayney was left picking the ball out of the back of the net again when Cox raced into the box and sent an angled drive past the goalkeeper to complete the rout, before Stephen Hunt's free-kick crashed off the post late on.
The victory puts Ireland at the top of the Nations Cup table ahead of Scotland's game against Wales tomorrow night.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane celebrated his record breaking 126th international cap with a hat-trick as Ireland defeated the Faroe Islands 3-0 in a Group C World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
