Undecided Robbie Keane held in high regard by Redknapp and Lambert

QPR manager and Aston Villa boss effusive in their praise of the MLS star and Ireland captain

QPR manager Harry Redknapp has played down the prospect of a move for Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane who recently suggested his days at LA Galaxy are numbered.

Keane was named Major League Soccer's (MLS) MVP last week and went on to win a third championship in four years with the club, scoring an extra-time winner against New England Revolution at the StubHub Centre on Sunday. Afterwards, he said he would take a short break and consider his future, despite having one year to run on his Galaxy contract, and added: "Sometimes change is good for everybody."

Redknapp, Keane’s former manager Tottenham, insisted QPR have not been in contact with Galaxy, but he was effusive in his praise of the one-time Spurs striker.

“Robbie’s an amazing footballer, one of the best professionals I’ve come across,” he said. “He’s gone over there and been the best player in the league - he hasn’t gone there for a holiday - but he belongs to the LA Galaxy and is the star man of their team and league.

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“We’ve never made an enquiry about him. They wouldn’t let him go.”

Redknapp was responding to speculative stories in the media this week that were based on a quote from 2012.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert was also drawn on the subject today and he insisted the 34-year-old Keane could still do a job for a Premier League side.

“I am pretty sure he could,” said the Scot. “For one thing Robbie Keane has scored goals wherever he has been. He is still a very good player and a goalscorer. I don’t see it as anything of a problem him playing again in the Premiership.”

Keane had a loan spell at Villa before, when he scored three goals in six games for Alex McLeish’s side in 2012.

Carl O'Malley

Carl O'Malley

The late Carl O'Malley was an Irish Times sports journalist