Keane happy to have avoided defeat

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has echoed his manager's mantra and insisted that avoiding defeat was primary objective in the opening two games of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Liverpool forward had few sights of goal during the 0-0 draw against Montenegro in Podgorica last night and when he did his brilliant turn and shot was fisted away by the homeside's goalkeeper, but the Dubliner is happy with a result that will breed confidence.

"Before the game, we wanted to get the three points obviously, but the way the game panned out overall we have to be happy with a point," he said today.  "They had a couple of chances - Shay pulled off a great save and their 'keeper pulled off a couple of saves, so we have to be happy with a point.

"It will give us confidence going into the next games. As long as you don't lose, that's the main thing."

Defender Kevin Kilbane shares his captain's views and insists that not many of the other teams will get much change out of the Montenegrans.

"People might have thought it might have been the other way around - if we had got a point against Georgia and then gone to Montenegro and won the game," he said.

"But they are a very tough side. They have good players who play in top leagues around the world and they are going to cause problems for the Italians, the Bulgarians, the Georgians and the Cypriots.

"They are very, very tough."

In looking ahead to three consecutive home games, Kilbane, who made his 50th consecutive competitive appearance for his country last night, is targeting maximum points.

The 31-year-old Wigan midfielder was part of the Ireland squad which last reached the finals of a major tournament in 2002.

Next up in October is Cyprus, whose 5-2 victory over Ireland in Larnaca in October 2006 effectively ended chances of qualifying for Euro 2008.

Georgia and Bulgaria follow next year and those games will determine the frame of mind in which Trapattoni and his players head for the manager's native Italy in April for a tough clash with the reigning world champions.

"We have got three home games now and we will look to next month against Cyprus first and foremost," said the Wigan player, who wore a face mask to protect a fractured cheekbone in Mainz against Georgia before discarding it during last night's game.

"We are certainly going into those three expecting to win them all and pick up nine points.

"We will see how it goes, but it is going to be tough. Next month against Cyprus, we have been there before and we know what a good side they can be.

"We will take that first game first and then see where we go from there."