Thursday 1 September 2016 10:14, UK
Robbie Keane urged his Republic of Ireland team-mates to never take representing their country for granted, as he ended his 18-year international career in style with a goal against Oman on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old LA Galaxy forward won his 146th and final cap in an emotional friendly at the Aviva Stadium, scoring his 68th international goal to equal Gerd Muller's tally and help the Irish win 4-0.
Since making his debut in a friendly against the Czech Republic in March 1998, Keane has spearheaded the Republic of Ireland's qualifying efforts for nine major tournaments.
On Monday, the Republic of Ireland begin their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a trip to Serbia, and Keane is confident the future is bright for Martin O'Neill's men.
Keane said: "I said a few words to the players after the game and told them, 'Never underestimate putting that green jersey on because it's the best feeling in the world'. It has been for me for 18 years.
"We're very fortunate that we have a group of players in there who are desperate to play for their country and turn up when given the nod. I think the future is certainly bright.
"I said to them in there, I wish them well in the game Monday and certainly in the qualifications. We have a great chance and a good team spirit amongst the players. I wished the manager and the staff all the best in the future going forward.
"I'll be watching now as a fan, which will be strange. I was always a fan but to watch it now sitting back and not being involved after (almost) 19 years will be strange. But I think this group of players will do well."
Keane scored with a clinical volley on the half-hour mark against Oman before being replaced by Wes Hoolahan in the 57th minute and he was greeted by a standing ovation as he headed for the touchline.
When asked about his emotions as he pulled on the green jersey for the last time, he said: "I didn't really think about it too much because all the players were asking me to sign their jerseys. I was there for 20 minutes signing the lads' jerseys, so it didn't really hit me.
"It's something I'll think about in the next few days, and it will hit me in the next few days, weeks or months. Certainly when you're watching the players in the game on Monday but it hasn't sunk in too much."
Robbie Brady opened the scoring with an eighth-minute free-kick and Jonathan Walters collected a double either side of the break to see off Oman.
Manager Martin O'Neill now faces the task of replacing a man who has for so long been Ireland's talisman and he believes Keane's goal-scoring record will be almost impossible to overhaul.
He said: "It's a great end for him. He was obviously quite emotional, really, about it. As he has mentioned in the last couple of days, he has loved playing for the Republic of Ireland and it was a great send-off.
"It was nice of the crowd to wait around for him at the end - they could have gone home. It was good and he got his goal.
"He's drawn level with Gerd Muller. What a record that is - fantastic. I'll not see it broken in my lifetime. Even the youngest in the room here won't see it either.
"It's been a great effort, a great career and (Wednesday night) was really about him."
