Captain Keane Scores To Lift Carling Nations Cup

Republic of Ireland 1 – 0 Scotland

Robbie Keane netted the goal that allowed the Republic of Ireland to lift the Carling Nations Cup at Scotland’s expense on an evening when it was always going to be winner takes all.

And in so doing, he netted his 49th goal in international football, equalling the British Isles record of Sir Bobby Charlton, England’s World Cup winner. Charlton scored his goals in 106 games, including many against the Home Nations; Keane’s came in 107.

Robbie Keane's goal was enough to lift the Carling Nations Cup

Keane, who turns 31 in July, had scored twice in the Republic’s previous Carling Nations Cup game, the 5-0 win over Northern Ireland.  And his goal in this game brought his season’s tally for his nation to eight – compared with just one for Tottenham, his current club, and two during a loan spell at West Ham.

Simon Cox, the West Bromwich Albion forward, saw an early Irish opportunity deflected behind for a corner before Blackpool’s Charlie Adam sent a 25-yarder just over at the other end. Shay Given prevented Phil Bardsley from putting the Scots in front with a remarkable flying save.

The Sunderland full back let fly from 35 yards out and his swerving drive was destined for the top corner before Given, the reserve goalkeeper at Manchester City these days, tipped it on to the top of the crossbar.

Keane’s opener was one to remember in its own right. Paul McShane, the right back, brought the ball out of defence and, following a neat little flick to fool a challenger, he set the striker off and running inside the centre circle.

The Scots defence backed off and that allowed Keane to fire in a low, left-footed drive that goalkeeper Allan McGregor probably should have saved. The half ended with a few feisty challenges and some downright poor tackles and Welsh referee Mark Whitby had to intervene to calm tempers down.

Cox fired across goal and just wide early in the second period after Stephen Hunt’s quick free kick had found him in space as Ireland started strongly again. James Forrest, the Celtic winger who was making his Scotland debut, came close to an equaliser but could not hit the target beyond the back post after Barry Robson’s cross had eluded the home defence.

Steven Naismith hooked an even better Scotland chance wide after captain Kenny Miller had been booked for complaining that he should have been awarded a penalty and within seconds Given had to pull off a reflex save to prevent Miller hooking home. The Scots finished strongly and there was one last chance for Miller as he raced clear only to fire wastefully wide with the goal at his mercy.

That the Republic can resume competitive action in a positive frame of mind – and that the Scots are still making steady progress under Levein.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.