The Departure of Robbie Keane

With Robbie Keane on his way to LA Galaxy THFC1882′s Rob Handworker takes a look back on the strikers Spurs career.

On signing him for Tottenham from Leeds Utd in 2002, our manager the God Glenn Hoddle  said that Keane was ideally suited to Tottenham and could make White Hart Lane his “spiritual home” for years to come.  Keane had an impressive debut at Spurs, winning a penalty during a 3–2 win over West Ham. Keane’s first goal for Tottenham came in a 2–1 win against Blackburn Rover at Edwood Park.  Keane was our success story of the season, during a disappointing campaign where we finished in 10th place, he finished as our top scorer with 13 goals, including a spectacular hat-trick in a win over Everton at White Hart Lane.  His rolls and corner flag celebration were fast becoming loved.

In the 2003-04 season we battled with relegation, but Keane’s goals played a major part in helping secure our Premier League status. A hat-trick against Wolves and a last minute penalty to equalise in the North London Derby against Arsenal were highlights as Keane once again ended the season as our top scorer with 16 goals.

His third season, 2004-05, was more frustrating. Despite finishing with his highest return of goals in a season for us, 17, he played second-fiddle to the likes of Jermain Defoe, Frederic Kanoute and Mido for much of the season. The frustration culminated in Keane storming from the dugout towards the end of a game against Birmingham City in April 2005 after all the substitutes had been used, meaning he would not get a chance to appear. He was fined £10,000 and forced to train with the reserves after the outburst and his future at the club was thrown into doubt.

The 2005-06 season started as the previous one had ended, with Defoe being preferred to partner Mido in Tottenham’s strikeforce. However, Defoe’s strike-rate continued to disappoint and Keane’s persistence paid off in November when manager Martin Jol eventually gave Keane a chance to replace Defoe and stake his claim. By March he had overtaken Mido as the top goalscorer at the club. Keane went on to finish the season with 16 league goals — making him the Premier League’s joint fourth top goalscorer that season. He had also been made the vice-captain, taking the captaincy on occasions when King Ledley was not available.

Keane was involved in a training ground fight with teammate Edgar Davids in December 2005, but the pair subsequently made up publicly and were seen encouraging each other on the pitch.  In February 2006, Inter’s owner and president, Massimo Moratti, admitted his regret at letting Keane go after being impressed by his performances at Tottenham.  Keane extended his commitment to Tottenham, signing a new four year contract in March 2006.

Keane had a slow start to the 2006–07 season which was further set back by a knee ligament injury that he suffered against Middlesbrough on 5 December 2006. His coming back from injury marked the beginning of a return to form and a dynamic partnership with Dimitar Berbatov.  Keane finished the season with a total of 22 goals in all competitions – the highest ever season tally of his career – scoring 15 goals in his last 15 appearances of the season.

Keane started in his 200th appearance for Tottenham in the final game of the 2006-07 season against Manchester City, scoring the first goal in a 2–1 victory that saw Tottenham secure fifth place in the league.

He signed a new five year contract with Tottenham on 28 May 2007.  On 26 December 2007 he became the thirteenth player in the history of the league to score 100 Premier Legaue goals. 2007 proved to be a remarkable year for the striker with a total of 31 goals and 13 assists from just 40 starts. His tally of 19 league goals in the calendar year was the highest of any player in the Premier League throughout 2007.

He scored his 100th competitive goal for Tottenham in the 2–0 win against Sunderland on 19 January 2008. He is the fifteenth Tottenham player to achieve this feat. On 24 February 2008 he won his first senior honour as a player as Spurs won the first League Cup Final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium beating Chelsea 2–1 after extra time.  On 12 April 2008 Keane made his 250th appearance for Spurs in the 1–1 draw with Middlesbrough. Keane finished the 2007–08 season equal top scorer for Spurs with Berbatov, with 23 goals in all competitions. His 15 Premier League goals making him the first Spurs player to score double figures in the Premier League in 6 consecutive seasons.  Keane in his Tottenham career won the club player of year three times (2003–04, 2005–06 and 2007–08); the first player to do so.

In July 2008 he moved on to Liverpool, with Daniel Levy saying that he was forced to sell him after the merseysiders unsettled Keane.  Keane’s statement when he joined them gave no mention of that but he did say: ”I’ve been a Liverpool fan all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin, and I always had a Liverpool shirt on my back”   This statement gave birth to the joke about him being a fan as a kid of every club he was linked with since.

He returned to Spurs in January 2009, at the same time Defoe also returned.  He was never the same player for me and has gone out on loan to Celtic (another boyhood favourite club) and West Ham Utd since he returned.

There are mixed feelings on Robbie Keane from the Spurs fans. Some love him, some never got on board with him even during the good times but all must agree he has been a good servant of the club, scored some cracking goals and given us some enjoyment and excitement over the years.

For me, I enjoyed watching him, he always gave his all for the club and I will have some quality memories of him but it’s the right time for him to leave.

THFC1882 would like to wish him the very best of luck and continued success in the future.

Cheers Robbie.

COYS

Rob