Express & Star

Andy Keogh will join Irish fans at Euro 2016

Published
Last updated

Former Wolves striker Andy Keogh is going to the European Championship with the Republic of Ireland after all – to join the supporters cheering the Irish on.

more

The 30-year-old finished the season in a rich vein of form at club level for Australian club Perth Glory in the A-League, but appears to be no closer to an international recall.

That's despite breaking the league's scoring record for goals in consecutive games with eight after his return to playing for Perth from January, writes Craig Birch.

His haul saw him dubbed the 'A-League's Jamie Vardy,' after the Leicester City star netted for 11 games in a row to break a Premier League record as they became champions.

Keogh, who played in all four of the top leagues in England before heading down under for the first of two spells in the summer of 2014, wants to add to his 30 caps.

And the hard-working forward is refusing to give up hope he'll come into national boss Martin O'Neill's thinking sooner or later.

Until then, patriotism is the order of the day, starting with his close season trip back home to the Emerald Isle before heading to London on holiday.

Among the last ports of call will be to join Irish fans in France for the Euros, which starts tomorrow with Ireland involved at the finals for the second tournament in succession.

Keogh came close to being included at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine and was on the standby list, months after Wolves had sold him to Millwall on the final day of the January transfer window.

Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Jonathan Walters and Daryl Murphy have been preferred up front to the likes of Keogh and former Wolves team-mate Kevin Doyle, who didn't make the final cut.

[youtube][/youtube]

Keogh has known he's not in the reckoning since the initial 30-man group was announced last month, which has now been trimmed down to 23.

But that won't stop him cheering on the Republic as a spectator, albeit a frustrated one at that due to not being involved.

He told the Express & Star: "It's tough playing in Australia, it's not as recognised a league as the others. All you can do is keep playing well, score goals and develop your own game.

"There's established players playing in so-called 'stronger' leagues, but maybe I was a little bit disappointed because I was one of the only ones scoring on a consistent basis.

"You never know, I might still get a call. There are a couple of older lads in the squad. I've got years on them so, one day, I'd like to think I can still come into the reckoning.

"In terms of what the Ireland team have done and achieved in qualifying, I can't really complain about not being included. Over my time with the national team, I made some great friends.

"I'm going over to France to support them and I'm sure it will be an enjoyable experience. I'll be there to cheer my country on and I wish them the very best."

Ireland start their campaign in the 'Group of Death' on Monday night, taking on Sweden at 5pm before Belgium oppose Italy from 8pm.

O'Neill's side then tackle Belgium next Saturday (2pm), before rounding off their Group E fixtures against Italy the following Wednesday evening (8pm).

[interruptor]