Source: Daily_Mail
Knee injury rules Robbie Keane out of Ireland's glamour clash against Brazil
Celtic's Robbie Keane will miss the Republic of Ireland's friendly with Brazil on Tuesday night after aggravating a knee injury during the Old Firm defeat by Rangers. [LNB]Keane, on loan at Celtic from Tottenham, had been a doubt for the SPL clash against Rangers at Ibrox and while he managed to play in the Hoops' 1-0 defeat, Republic manager Giovanni Trapattoni will not risk his fitness against the Brazilians. [LNB]A spokesperson for the Republic said: "Robbie Keane will not report for international duty due to a knee injury. Hibernian striker Anthony Stokes has been drafted into the squad to replace him.'[LNB] Pain game: Keane will not face the Brazilians after his Ibrox encounter[LNB]Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Shay Given insists he is not ready to hang up his gloves just yet even though he is well aware that he cannot go on forever. [LNB]Given, now 33, has enjoyed a fine season for Manchester City and is hoping the club can achieve a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League. [LNB]He has earned more than 100 caps for his country since making his debut in 1996 and wants to continue for as long as he can. [LNB]'I don't feel it is time yet,' said Given. 'But it will be coming along soon enough. I don't know when. We will go through the qualifying campaign and then maybe have a look at it after that. [LNB]'A lot will depend on Manchester City as well if we can get into the Champions League and a lot more games. You never know what is round the corner but at the minute I feel good and raring to go. [LNB]'I am proud to play for my country, always have been and always will be, I will be there for them if needed. I know I will come to an end but I have a couple of years left in me.'[LNB] Going strong: Manchester City and Ireland keeper Given[LNB]Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson insists it will be a massive contrast to swap the uncertainty over his footballing future at club level for the honour of winning his first international cap against Brazil. [LNB]The game will be the first of four preparatory matches ahead of the big kick-off for the 2012 European Championship campaign in the autumn. [LNB]Ireland were pitted against Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra, and coach Giovanni Trapattoni has already begun his planning by adding three newcomers to the squad in the shape of Wigan's James McCarthy, Wilson and Manchester City's Greg Cunningham. [LNB]The call-up is a dream come true for Wilson, 22, who has spent much of the season at Pompey wondering if he would be paid as the club battled for financial survival. [LNB] 'Obviously the club has been going through a lot of trouble,' said Wilson. 'We are in administration now but things are starting to look a little better now. [LNB]'We are starting to get paid. They are cutting the club to a minimum but I think that is the best way for the club to go forward. [LNB]'It has been great for me to get the call-up but I have just been happy playing football. This is my first year playing a full season in the Premier League. [LNB]'It has been a hard season because it has been very physical, very demanding. If I had been at another club, I would not have played as many games because other players would have come in and you are not as physically drained all time.'[LNB] Rangers manager Walter Smith lets rip at Celtic over referee criticism Browned off: Celtic blast referee for Scott Brown's red card miseryLee McCulloch's Scotland comeback in jeopardy after injury in Old Firm clashCeltic will appeal Scott Brown's sending off in Rangers defeatRangers 1 Celtic 0: Edu pounces at the death after Brown sees redCELTIC FC NEWS FROM ACROS THE NETMANCHESTER CITY FC
