Robbie Keane - Why no Cartwheels?
Spurs Odyssey has been given the opportunity by THFC to preview stand-in Captain Robbie Keane's article in the November edition of "Hotspur", which is out this Friday - 26th October
Here's what Robbie has to say on various issues:-
The disappearance of his cartwheel celebration
“I’d had this problem with my back, so it was agreed that I wouldn’t take any unneccesary risks with it,” says Robbie. “That’s why the celebration has stopped. It’s a shame in a way because it’s something I’ve done since I was very young and a lot of people associate it with me, but as you get older, you’ve got to be a bit more sensible, I suppose.”
The Captaincy
“I’m only keeping the captaincy warm for Ledley but I see it as a great honour to be the Spurs captain – I like the responsibility,” he smiles. “Don’t get me wrong, I like a laugh and a joke with the lads, and I’m always involved whenever there’s banter, but on the pitch I also like to be there for the younger players. I’m talking to them all the time when we’re playing. Gordon Strachan did the same with me when I first joined Coventry and you appreciate it. But it’s not just me doing the talking. Everyone helps each other. I think that’s always the case – you all muck in.”
The current situation
“There are certainly no panic buttons being pushed because we know this team is good enough to be challenging at the other end of the table and the mood in the camp is one of determination to prove the doubters wrong. The trouble is, when you’re at a big club like ours, people like to jump on the bandwagon when results are not going well. Like the media, for example. But I’m used to it now, it comes with the territory. You get hardened to the criticism.
“The important thing for me is that we are still creating chances, even if we haven’t picked up the points we would have liked. If we hadn’t been doing that, it would have been more of a concern, but the chances have been there. It’s only a matter of time before we turn things around.”
Playing at 40?
“I’d love to still be playing football at 40 like Teddy but whether it happens is another thing. I think he is a player we can all look up to. You’ve got to admire him for what he’s done. He’s obviously looked after himself and that has paid dividends.”
Spurs In Europe
“Spurs have always had a good pedigree in Europe,” he points out. “And I know that last season in the UEFA Cup, and again this season, we have been able to stamp our authority on games because we like to get the ball down and play, while getting in teams’ faces at the same time. Obviously Sevilla was different because they went on to win the competition, but I don’t think the European game is something that has held too many obstacles for us.
“We enjoy the games and look forward to facing different competition – like the fans do, if the buzz going around White Hart Lane is anything to go by on European nights.”
Playing with Dimitar Berbatov
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I enjoy playing with Dimitar, but I also enjoy playing with the other strikers here as well,” he insists. “I think it’s healthy to have quality strikers at the club because the competition for places can only benefit the team. But we all have to be prepared to drop out at some stage. The manager has to rotate his squad because of the number of games we play – it’s impossible to play them all. Of course, as a striker you want to play as much as you can but you accept the manager’s decision. You know he has to keep things fresh.”
The chance of success this season?
“To get to a cup final and score the winner would be fantastic,” he smiles. “It’s something you dream of as a kid.”
You never know - maybe the cartwheel celebration would get another run!
There is much more detail about Robbie in the magazine, which also features a competition to win the shirt off his back, as well as the low-down on the group stage of the UEFA Cup, a Q & A with Martin Jol, and memories of the very first Euroopean "Glory Night" at White Hart Lane.
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Spurs Odyssey is not being paid a commission by THFC for this feature, but the contents and pictures are used with the kind permission of THFC
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