Robbie Keane isn’t out for revenge.
Keane and Ireland will face hosts France in the Round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2016 on Sunday. It’ll be the first meeting between the countries since former New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry used his hand to set up a controversial William Gallas winner to push France over Ireland in their World Cup qualifying playoff series in November 2009.
The LA Galaxy captain played in that match, scoring in the 33rd minute to pull the Irish level 1-1 on aggregate.
And while that series and resulting World Cup berth would’ve been decided in penalties if it weren’t for Henry’s handball, the famously gruff Keane isn’t exactly using it as motivation heading into Sunday’s Knockout Round contest in Lyon.
“Yeah I was there. I will not think about that for one second,” he told reporters. “How long ago was it? Seven years.... Hell, move on.”
Ireland’s all-time leading scorer, the 35-year-old Keane came off the bench to play a total of 23 minutes in Ireland’s first two matches at the Euros. He did not see any action in the dramatic 1-0 win over Italy on Wednesday that pushed the Boys in Green to the Round of 16.
