Robbie: Go and make that moment, be a hero!

ROBBIE Keane has made the clarion call for ‘a hero’ to emerge from Mick McCarthy’s goal-shy Ireland, against Denmark tomorrow night.

With six goals in seven Euro 2020 qualifiers, they are the lowest scorers of any team who can still finish first or second in their groups.

But one goal could be enough to derail the Danes and fire Ireland through to the Euro finals for the fourth time. ‘People still talk about Ray Houghton’s goal against England; the goal I scored against Germany. Go and make that moment, be a hero,’ said 68-goal Keane.

The Irish assistant manager sees the Group D finale as a moment to seize. ‘This is what you play football for. I played in a lot of games like this one. Knowing you’re one game from the Euros, I say “Go and make a name for yourself.”’

Keane wants to see the Irish players embrace the challenge, rather than be fearful.

His upbeat message, especially to younger players like Troy Parrott, is that ‘all the hard work has got you to this position. You’re here now, go and enjoy it. The more free you are, and I learnt that as I got older, the better you play.’

Keane knows Parrott from his visits to Spurs, and he likes what he’s seen so far of the strapping 17-year-old, who is a fellow Dub.

‘Troy has confidence in his own ability. He’s 17, so you have to be careful not to put

too much pressure on him. But, knowing him, he kind of enjoys the pressure. I like that,’ said Keane.

‘He’s training with the first team at Tottenham every day, alongside top professionals. He didn’t fold on Thursday and he’s going to get better,’ he said.

Keane (below) works a lot with the Irish forwards and was chuffed to see Sean Maguire and Callum Robinson get off the mark in the 3-1 win over New Zealand.

‘We did a lot this week with Sean, and Callum. Hopefully, they will kick on from those goals.’

At 39, Ireland’s most capped player appreciates what’s at stake for the team, and the mood of the nation, should Ireland win.

‘This will change everyone’s life, give the whole country a lift.

‘Kids who aspire to be footballers, they’re the next generation, they’ll see this game and what it means.’ Keane accepts the Danes must be respected.

‘Are they technically better? Yes. Can they outfight us, or work harder than us? No.’

Meanwhile, Irish manager Mick McCarthy reported that Darren Randolph was 100 per cent fit after the keeper emerged from a week ‘wrapped in cotton wool’, to take a full part in training yesterday. He also admitted to feeling relief that the deadlock was broken in St Gallen, on Friday night, although he would have preferred a Georgian win to a Swiss one.

‘I did cheer, that late Switzerland goal, as it means a one-nil win will do us on Monday.

‘Denmark will be happy with their result (6-0 against Gibraltar) but we knew we’d have to beat them, and that’s still the case.’

Curiously, Ireland have never won the final game at home, of a regular qualification campaign, to reach a major final.