Source: Team_Talk
Bonner: Keane suited to SPL football
Keane arrived on loan at Parkhead in January after dropping out of the picture at Tottenham and soon regained his form.[LNB]A hat-trick against Kilmarnock in the Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-final at Rugby Park on Saturday took the Republic of Ireland striker's tally to eight in eight games.[LNB]Bonner, who played for the Parkhead club in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, is now the technical director of the Republic of Ireland.[LNB]Asked what people back home think of Keane plying his trade in the SPL, he replied: "I suppose you are saying it is a downward step for Robbie, but what we are more interested in is that Robbie builds his confidence, is scoring goals and that he can do it for our country.[LNB]"He has 97 caps for Ireland and will probably make his 100th by the time we open our new stadium in August.[LNB]"He was out of the (Tottenham) team and like all good strikers it's about confidence.[LNB]"He has scored eight goals in eight and his movement off the ball on Saturday was brilliant.[LNB]"Young kids should watch him when the ball is not near him - that is what makes Robbie.[LNB]"He hasn't got the burst of speed to get away from people but where he comes alive is in the last third of the pitch."[LNB]While it is assumed Keane will return to White Hart Lane at the end of the season, Bonner urged the striker's 23-year-old Republic of Ireland team-mate Aiden McGeady to stay at Celtic for a couple more seasons before he thinks about moving to England.[LNB]He said: "I've watched Aiden develop from being a very young guy.[LNB]"He came over to Ireland when he was 15 years old and has developed in to an international player but still not one who is first name on the team sheet so he has a bit of development to go there.[LNB]"I think he should stay with Celtic for another year at least, probably two.[LNB]"But of course he has the talent (to play in England) - he wouldn't be in our international team if he didn't."[LNB]Bonner, a former mate of Tony Mowbray, insists the high expectations of Hoops fans might be making life more difficult for the Celtic manager[LNB]The Parkhead side are 13 points behind Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League and are probably banking on the Scottish Cup for their last chance of glory, where they face the winners of the Hibernian versus Ross County replay in the semi-final.[LNB]Bonner said: "Some might say that Tony has to get it right this year but I would say that he has to challenge in the next few years.[LNB]"You have to win trophies if you are the Celtic manager but sometimes the fans have really very high expectations.[LNB]"I think they still think Celtic should be winning the Champions League and okay, that's what the fans want and what the history of the club demands, but sometimes it is unrealistic.[LNB]"Let's see how it pans out this year. The cup this year is the most important one.[LNB]"I hope for Tony's sake that they get to the final and have no doubt that they will.[LNB]"Certainly he does need to win something but I think he should be judged over the next two or three years."[LNB][LNB]
