Patient Keogh steps out of the shadows to take leading Ireland role

THE press conference in Abbotstown was drawing to a close when Martin O’Neill asked if he could give a delayed answer to an earlier question.

It related to Richard Keogh, the man sitting next to him, who deputised as captain on Saturday and looks set to continue in the role this evening.

Keogh had been asked if he thought his international days were numbered when he fell out of favour and went the guts of a year and a half without a competitive outing.

The Derby County player gave a diplomatic answer about the quality of the Premier League players who had been selected ahead of him.

O’Neill decided to finish up proceedings with his own thoughts about the 32-year-old.

“Sometimes Richard does not realise – and I’ll say this in front of him – how influential that he is around the group,” said O’Neill.

“He is pretty much like John O’Shea and I cannot pay him a higher compliment than that.

“Richard has mentioned himself that he has sometimes not played in the side but he has still played some big, big matches for us and has always done well.”

Gaze

Keogh retained a fixed gaze as the praise continued.

“It’s his influence around people that he sometimes does not realise it himself,” added O’Neill.

“He is a really, really good influence, particularly with the younger lads here.

“He does not necessarily always play and there’s no guarantee that he will play tomorrow night either,” he added, with a smile.

It would be a surprise if Keogh was omitted. He was restored to the side on the right of a back three for the friendly in Wroclaw and he fared well.

Keogh was a right full in his younger days and says that’s why he is comfortable with the new formation.

Despite never reaching Premier League level, he has figured in highlevel matches for Ireland.

He was in the team for the big Aviva Stadium wins over Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last Euros campaign and was brought into the side along with Shane Duffy midway through the finals in France.

His club experience will help tonight, however, with Derby colleagues Tom Lawrence and Harry Wilson on the other side.

“I know what they can bring to the table,” said Keogh, who agreed that a punchier start to the match was required.

“We have got to make sure we are right and that we start the game well. It’s up to us to get the crowd going.”