KEANE KEEPS HIS TOE IN AT HOOPS

ROBBIE KEANE’S casual role with Shamrock Rovers is likely to continue into the new season.

But Hoops boss Stephen Bradley has confirmed that the Ireland legend (left) is not joining his coaching staff.

Keane, 40, has been coaching the Rovers strikers since the start of pre-season and is part of the league champions Covid bubble.

Keane, who was assistant with Ireland and Middlesbrough, is eager to become a manager and Bradley says he is ‘learning his trade’.

“Robbie has been brilliant. He’s been in from the very start and has done this for a number of years,” said Bradley. “He works extremely hard and he’s enjoying it. Some of his detail in the finishing department is top class.”

Keane (left) remains under contract but doesn’t have a role in the association as Stephen Kenny did not retain him on staff.

But Hoops boss Bradley has ruled out Keane joining the Rovers staff on a full-time basis – yet admits he could stay with the team into the new season.

“He’s been in for a few weeks and will continue to do so but he won’t be coming into the club in any capacity,” he said.

“He just wants to learn his trade. The conversation we had over Christmas was to come in and help and that’s how it comes about.”

LEEDS target Romain Perraud has admitted he is a Chelsea fan.

The left-back (above) has impressed with his performances for Stade Brest in Ligue 1 and the 23-year-old confesses to having supported Leeds’ bitter rivals since seeing them as a kid.

“It’s true,” he said. “I became a big fan of Chelsea when I visited London with my father and my grandmother.

“My father managed to buy tickets. I must have been between nine and 11 years old, the game was Chelsea v Sunderland, a 5-0 victory.

“I said to myself then I was going to follow this team and I still follow them today. They are my favourite team.”

WHEN the English stop boasting about having the best league in the world, the most money in the world, not to mention the longest and most important history in the game and when we stop calling our governing body THE Football Association, there is half a chance of the World Cup being staged

on these shores again.