Keane curbs future talk

Robbie Keane said he is fully focused on Ireland’s final Euro 2012 game against Italy, insisting he is not thinking about his international future.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men have been eliminated from the tournament with one game left to play, after losing to both Spain and Croatia in Group C.

Following the below-par display, which included 3-1 and 4-0 drubbings, there has been criticism of the national side from the likes of former captain Roy Keane and calls for older players such as Damien Duff, Shay Given and Richard Dunne to make way for a new generation.

However, the LA Galaxy forward refused to comment on fellow team-mates’ situations, adding the thought of retirement has not crossed his mind with the game against Cesare Prandelli’s side receiving his full attention.

He told reporters: “First of all, it’s not my decision whether any of the players retire, that’s their own thing.

“For me, I am just focusing on Monday’s game and then after that, I will see. But I am certainly not even thinking for one second about retiring at this moment in time.

“I am fully focusing on Monday’s game, and we will see what happens.”

Ireland have only pride left to play for, as even a win would not send them into the knockout stages, however Keane assured fans that they are by no means giving up without a fight.

Ireland’s all time leading scorer wants the team to exit on a high suggesting that Italy may underestimate them, but the players will be out to win.

The 31-year-old added: “We are not going into this game for one second thinking that we are going to let Italy walk all over us, there is no question about that.

“We will go into that game on Monday hoping to go back to Ireland with three points.

“I think the Italian players, knowing a few of them, they know Ireland is not going to be an easy game for them. It is certainly going to be a tough game for them.

“One thing I know for a fact is these players will give 110 per cent.”