Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee fears Republic of Ireland attacker Robbie Keane can have a significant impact on Saturday’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier, even if not selected from the start.
Scotland travel to Dublin this weekend seeking the victory which would move them five points ahead of Ireland in Group D.
Keane is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 65 goals in 139 appearances, but the LA Galaxy attacker was left out by manager Martin O’Neill for the meeting between the sides at Parkhead last November, which Scotland won 1-0 thanks to Shaun Maloney’s goal.
McGhee knows all about Keane’s threat, having handed him his professional debut for Wolves at the age of 17 in a 2-0 League Cup win against Norwich in 1997.
Keane scored both goals in that game and has since performed with distinction for the likes of Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
And former Aberdeen manager McGhee believes the 34-year-old Keane can still make a major impact off the bench if he is denied another start.
McGhee said: “Robbie didn’t start the game against us here, but he’s such an important player for them that he can definitely bring something to the team.
“If he’s on the bench in a really tight game, I’d still worry about him coming on. Robbie, regardless of how Martin decides to use him, can still be a significant player in this game. And in whatever stage he comes into the game, we have to be aware of his threat.
“I was a little surprised when he didn’t feature in the first match. I spoke to him before the game, and so was he.
“He was disappointed. He’s a lad who wants to play in every minute of every game and wants to train in every session.
“I was delighted he wasn’t playing and I’ll be pleased again if he’s not playing in the game on Saturday.
“Robbie has got subtlety to his game that can’t be coached and he has natural ability.”
Despite the threat of Keane, the instructions to the Scotland players will not change if the veteran is handed a start, with McGhee also wary of the abilities of Southampton’s Shane Long and Stoke City’s Jonathan Walters, both of whom he believes pose an equally significant threat.
McGhee added: “We can tell the players what to expect, but it’ll be down to them on the day to deal with it. Time and time again we’ve seen defenders not being able to deal with Robbie, he’s a difficult player to play against.
“I think Shane Long and Jonathan Walters are really good players. I watch them week-in, week-out down south. They’re different from Robbie altogether.
“I don’t think either of them would claim to be at Robbie’s level yet as he has scored more goals than anybody for Ireland.
“And I think he’ll continue to get more. He’s still playing well for his club in America, he’s had an amazing career with unbelievable moves.
“I’m sure the rest of the Ireland players look up to him and respect him, but they’re good players in their own right.”