Former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has admitted his surprise at how long Robbie Keane has lasted on the international scene.
McCarthy gave Keane his debut back in 1998 and the former Tottenham Hotspur ace has since struck 65 times to become his country's most prolific goalscorer of all time.
The 34-year-old, who is also Ireland's record caps holder, is expected to lead the line in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier away to Scotland, and the Ipswich Town boss says that he did not expect him to scale the heights that he has done.
"When I gave Robbie his debut as a teenager I didn't think he was going to become the record goalscorer," the 55-year-old told reporters.
"To be honest, I thought he was going to retire after the European Championships in 2012 when Damien Duff and Shay Given did.
"I wondered would Robbie go with them, especially with his move to America. I didn't imagine after moving there that he'd be trekking back to play. He's had to evolve because he's not as quick anymore but he's still Ireland's talisman."
Keane, now with Los Angeles Galaxy, netted a hat-trick in the 7-0 demolition of Group D minnows Gibraltar last month.
Shane Callaghan
