Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane fulfils a schoolboy dream when he leads out the Republic of Ireland team tonight against World Cup finalists Sweden in a friendly at Landsdowne Road.
A new era starts in Dublin under Steve Staunton and Sir Bobby Robson as the Irish look to prepare for next season`s Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Keano has certainly packed a lot into a young career which includes Serie A experience with Inter Milan, Champions League football with Leeds United and a memorable World Cup in South Korea four years ago.
Captaincy with his country will rank alongside those proud achievements and Keane has admitted he didn`t think he would have been given the armband at the age of 25, ‘ I thought I would have got it when I was older’ he readily admits.
Keane has been made vice captain at his club this season and has filled Ledley King`s shoes when our England international has been absent. ‘ I have really enjoyed that’ enthused Robbie.
Keano naturally feels ‘honoured and privileged’ to be skipper but feels every player wearing the emerald green shirt should play their part. ‘We should have eleven captains out there’ he said defiantly.
Meanwhile midfielder Michael Carrick is expected to replace Chelsea`s Frank Lampard in England`s midfield for tonight`s friendly with Uruguay at Anfield. Lampard has a pulled hamstring.
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