Only way is up for eager Keane

We never thought to ask the Ireland captain what's on his iPod these days, but, after 20 minutes in his company, you'd have to assume that top of his playlist is that tune with the chorus that goes something like, "I get knocked down, but I get up again."

A 4-0 home defeat to Holland, followed by an away trip to the team that finished third in the World Cup? Robbie Keane, Mr Positivity, reckons, after that humiliating setback, the only way is up.

His enthusiasm about captaining Ireland for the first time in a competitive game is infectious; he's nigh on euphoric at the prospect, so euphoric he refuses to contemplate anything but an heroic Irish performance in Stuttgart.

"It's just important not to lose these games. Of course a point would be great, but we're not going to just sit back and let them come at us for 90 minutes and just defend. We've got people in the squad who are great attacking players, so we'll go out to win the game," he said.

"It was tremendous to be captain in the two games so far, but in a qualifying game I'm sure it's going to be extra special. It'll be a proud night for me and I'm really looking forward to it."

Gloom and doom in the camp after the Dutch result? Keane, who was absent nursing a "niggle" on the night, baulks at the suggestion.

"Absolutely not, the team spirit is brilliant. As players you want to put things right after a disappointing result, so we'll be going out there to do that against Germany.

"It's a massive game. They did really well in the World Cup, which probably puts a little more pressure on them now. But we're just looking forward to it after the disappointment of the last couple of games. These are the games you really want to play in, so we're well up for it."

He watched Germany on television in the summer, he was impressed, but naturally focused on Miroslav Klose: "He has an unbelievable record, 11 goals, I think, in two World Cups. He's a big lad, holds it up brilliantly. Any cross that comes in he's always getting his head on it; his aerial strength is something we have to look out for. He's a good player, there's no question about that, as is the other young lad, (Lukas) Podolski, He looked really, really good in the World Cup.

"But we can't worry too much about them two, there are other players in the team . . . But we really just have to think about ourselves. Hopefully we'll give a good account of ourselves."

Stuttgart. Happy memories for Ireland? "Well that's something for everyone else to think about. We can't think too much about the past; we have to concentrate on the future on Saturday; we can't be harping on about what went before."

But Mick Byrne will probably remind you about Stuttgart?

"Mick reminds you of bleedin' everything," he grins as he takes his leave.

Meanwhile, Gary Doherty is telling the world he's "over the moon" to be back in the squad, having been previously overlooked by Steve Staunton.

"Yeah, it was tough being left out because you want to be playing for your country, but it was just a case of getting my head down, playing hard for Norwich and hoping the call-up would come," he says.

"You never give up hope. I knew if I could start the season well for Norwich, because I had a decent enough personal season last year, then maybe I might force my way back in . . . and thankfully that's been the case.

"I feel a lot stronger and a lot fitter now so it's up to me to really crack on and put in some good performances and keep my place. I've been training as a centre half but I'm not stupid - I've got over 30 caps now and I know that's predominantly because I can also play centre forward, usually late on in the game, so that's not something I'm going to close the door on because I'm very proud of my caps and I want to get more."

Unlike most of his Ireland colleagues Doherty has heard of Sean St Ledger, largely because the young Preston defender scored an own goal against Norwich in the club's second game of the season.

"But I said to him I thought he had a really good game. The own goal was a bit unfortunate but I was really impressed with him. He got a good move from Peterborough, Preston are a good footballing side, and he's started the season really strongly so he's definitely one I'll be keeping an eye on. There are a few of us vying for that third or fourth centre-half spot now. But competition is good, that's what you need."