Keane vows to end Liverpool title drought
As a lifelong Liverpool fan Robbie Keane has lived through the pain of the club's 18-year title famine.
Now the 28-year-old Dubliner reckons he is at last in the right place to do something about that situation.
Keane was still at primary school the last time Liverpool lifted the league crown in 1990. And after completing his £20.3million move from Spurs today, the Irishman vowed to play his part in ending that title drought.
He said: 'I don't really remember that last title win, I was too young but now I hope I can contribute as part of the team that finally wins the league crown again.
'All my older brothers and the rest of the family are all mad-keen Liverpool fans and always talk about the great days of the past.
'Now I have fulfilled my own dream of joining the club, I believe we can seriously challenge for the title.
'This club has stature, great players and tradition. There is no reason we cannot finally win the title again.'
Keane, though, admits that even turning out in the club's colours will be an honour.'Back home in Dublin all us kids every wanted was Liverpool track-suits and jerseys at Christmas.
'Now at least I can get them for free at last! I can hardly believe I am sitting here now actually wearing a Liverpool track-suit for real.'
And Keane reckons he can form a mouth-watering strike partnership with Fernando Torres next season.
He said: 'Torres has been a revelation since he arrived in the Premier League and I am looking forward to playing alongside him.
'I had a great understanding and relationship with Dimitar (Berbatov) at Spurs, and hopefully I can do just the same with Torres. But it is up to me to get into the team and work hard to prove a partnership works.
'I hope myself and Fernando can have that sort of relationship and score plenty of goals.
'Now it is up to me to make sure I am picked every week, I am not naive enough to think I can walk into any team, that is my challenge.
'I am very excited with the prospect of playing alongside Torres. He is probably the best striker in the world.
'His first season in the Premier League was fantastic, and then to go to the Euro 2008 finals and score the winner in the final just made it an even greater season for him.
'It was a great year for him and hopefully with my help he can have another one just as good.'
Keane, the Republic of Ireland's record goal-scorer, is relishing joining a long line of Irish stars at Anfield.
He said: 'It is good to follow a line of great Irish players at the club. John Aldridge was the last Irish striker here and he is a great pal of mine, he has always said he wanted to see me at Liverpool and now it has happened.
'He was a fantastic striker. And he has the respect of the people in Liverpool, if I can do as well as him I will be very pleased.'
He added: 'Playing Champions League football is important for me, but it is the whole package here. You don't have to sell Liverpool to me, that happened many years ago.
'But this club has to challenge for the title, the fans expect it. And at this stage of my career I want to have that chance, and to win more trophies and medals.
'This squad can challenge for the Premier League, just look at the players the club already have. With a few more additions, which I believe will come, Liverpool can go on to win the title.'
Keane will wear the famous number seven shirt, previously worn by Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Peter Beardsley.
He said: 'It is no secret I am a massive Liverpool fan. This is a dream, and to wear the number seven jersey is an honour and a privilege.
'If I can do half as well as the likes of Dalglish and Keegan, then I will be more than happy.
'I have always wanted to play for the club and this is a great opportunity for me now and something I will relish. I would be happy to end my career here.
'Liverpool score a lot of goals, too, and it is my job is to score more.
'A striker is always judged on goals and that will be no different here.' |
發表於 2008-7-30 03:24 AM
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