Packie backs Keane's Celtic sojourn

Former Celtic and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner feels Scottish football is the ideal place for Robbie Keane to…

Former Celtic and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner feels Scottish football is the ideal place for Robbie Keane to rebuild his confidence.

Keane arrived on loan at Parkhead in January after dropping out of the picture at Tottenham and soon regained his form.

A hat-trick against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Rugby Park on Saturday took the Republic of Ireland striker’s tally to eight in eight games.

“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,” said Bonner, who will act as grand marshal in Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day parade.

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“He has 97 caps for Ireland and will probably make his 100th by the time we open our new stadium in August.

“He was out of the (Tottenham) team and like all good strikers it’s about confidence.

“He has scored eight goals in eight and his movement off the ball on Saturday was brilliant.

“Young kids should watch him when the ball is not near him — that is what makes Robbie.

“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.”

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.

He said: “I’ve watched Aiden develop from being a very young guy. 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.

“I think he should stay with Celtic for another year at least, probably two. But of course he has the talent (to play in England) — he wouldn’t be in our international team if he didn’t.”