Keogh sees bright green future

Andy Keogh could not have been further from the crime scene. His current team-mates had travelled in hope but they were cornered, fleeced and left for dead by Constantinou, Charalampidis and the rest of the Cypriot mob. Five goals conceded, points squandered and derided ever since. Nicosia, Nicosia, Nicosia.

Keogh didn't avoid teasing entirely. He was on a team bus, leaving the City Ground in Nottingham having scored in Scunthorpe's 4-0 rout over Forest. The driver turned on the radio and Keogh chuckled to himself as news of England's scoreless home draw with Macedonia filtered through. However, he was positively squirming in his seat later in the journey after discovering Ireland's fate.

"If England were winning I would have been getting some serious stick," says the young Dubliner. "Obviously it was a disappointing result last time. I was a bit shocked to be fair, I'd say most Irish people were. But it's in the past and we have to make up for it tonight. Nobody likes getting turned over 5-2. We definitely want to go out and put one over on them. It's personal pride for the fans as well."

Not for a minute did Keogh dream he'd be playing for the Irish senior team just months later. Having made the grade at under-age level, his elevation was a matter of course yet he felt it was a while down the road. Not so. He first answered Steve Staunton's call for the farcical win over San Marino but never played. He then featured in the squad for the home wins over Wales and Slovakia before making his debut on the United States summer tour.

"Yeah, it definitely happened very quick, but not just to me. It happened for Kevin Doyle quite quickly too. When I looked at him there was always the possibility that it could happen to someone else. He was an inspiration for me especially when I was in a lower league at Scunthorpe. And I thought if he could do it one day then I could too."

Keogh, now a Wolves player, says his proudest moment was playing against Germany at the weekend. His inclusion from the off was certainly something of a shock, although Staunton has grown accustomed to throwing a curve ball or two. A natural born striker, Keogh was deployed wide right in a role he has lately adopted at club level.

Staunton told him of his selection the morning of the game and he admits being surprised, but pleasantly so. Family and friends from Dun Laoghaire were phoned almost immediately and the scramble operation for extra tickets was quickly under way.

"A lot of family were coming anyway but more decided to go when they heard I was playing," says the 20-year-old. "I got a few tickets here and there. A few of the lads sorted me out so it was grand. Being told that morning didn't make a difference to be honest. I suppose I might have slept that bit better on the Friday night but it was a great feeling. And the minute I heard I was in the team I couldn't wait to get out there."

He cut a tired figure by the end having expelled such tremendous energy, but he put in a honest shift. Novicey, but enthusiastic in a position not his own. Freddy Eastwood's arrival at Wolves means Keogh has been pushed wide but under Mick McCarthy at club level and now Staunton at international grade, he'll play anywhere.

"I used to play on the right when I was younger and have filled in there for Wolves this season. Obviously I'd play week in week out up front but I don't mind. I can play there when needed. I was just surprised being in the starting 11. Really happy, you know, and couldn't wait to get out there. It is more physically demanding and the positional sense required is different to a striker. A different mentality to what I'd be used to."

How was your frame of mind taking the Croke Park pitch on Saturday? Nervous?

"It was great soaking up the atmosphere so when you're playing you don't really notice stuff like that. It's like any other game you just concentrate on what you have to do. (It) was definitely the best moment of my career. . . but I thought we deserved to win as we had the better of the chances."

Keogh's career has certainly flourished since McCarthy prised him from the lower leagues in January for £600,000. He appreciates the gamble the former Irish manager took on him and is keen to repay that faith at every opportunity. Eastwood's arrival at Molineaux twinned with that of his international colleague Stephen Elliott means he's forced to graft hard. But the fact McCarthy finds room to accommodate him is testimony to his potential.

Staunton is clearly thinking along similar lines and although Keogh has a lot yet to learn, the raw talent is there to see and he'll be a fixture for the years ahead.

"It's great to see the young lads come through as they had to come through at some stage," he says of the Irish set-up. "You need new talent and new faces for the future. Stan has given the young lads an opportunity. The people before him hadn't given young players as much of a chance. He's building for the future. It's a good sign."