- My Account
- Logout
- Register
- Login
Keane’s got that loving feeling after lack of belief from Benitez
Related Articles
06 February 2009
The striker will captain Tottenham against Arsenal on Sunday after Reds boss Rafael Benitez allowed him to rejoin his former club just six months after signing him for £20.3million.
And while Keane stopped short of criticising Benitez directly, he made it clear he never felt wanted at Anfield and praised his new boss Harry Redknapp.
"I've rejoined a fantastic club, with a fantastic manager who believes in his players," said the Irishman. "I am looking forward to having a good relationship with Harry. Sometimes if a manager doesn't fancy you, it's as simple as that. It is never easy when you are in and out of the team, especially as a striker.
"It was difficult to take. I love playing, and I didn't play as often as I would have liked. To be left out of squads was really tough, because it hadn't happened since I was 17.
"If I was a bad egg, I could have understood it. But if you ask anyone at Liverpool, including the manager, they will say I trained as hard as I could every day. Sometimes, the grass is not always greener on the other side. It is great to be back here and it feels like I have never been away."
Redknapp has made the 28‑year‑old his new team captain, although Ledley King, who is likely to miss the derby with a hamstring problem, retains the club captaincy.
Keane has urged his team-mates to take responsibility for saving the club from relegation.
"It is okay having a strong squad, but we are in a bad position, and it is up to us to get ourselves out of it," he said.
Redknapp believes six more victories will see Spurs, who have 24 points, survive in the top flight, and he expects Keane to be his lieutenant on the pitch.
The manager said: "I am looking forward to having a good relationship with Robbie and discussing any problems we might have. He will be a massive influence for us."
Carlo Cudicini, another January arrival, is set to face Arsenal having started the last two games.
But Heurelho Gomes has warned the former Chelsea goalkeeper he is stillthe club's No1.
He said: "Everybody spoke to me about the signing of Carlo Cudicini but Tony Parks, the goalkeeping coach, said to me: You are still the No1 of Tottenham'.
Comments
Top stories in Sport
Top stories in Sport
-
No end to Tube nightmare as commuters warned of MORE chaos tonight
-
Double dip recession is worse than feared as UK faces ‘hurricane’
-
They attacked "like a pack" raining fists on a defenceless legal secretary. Yesterday they walked free from court. No wonder their victim says she has been denied justice.
-
Mayor demands report from Transport for London into Jubilee Line nightmare that left hundreds of commuters trapped for hours underground
-
Friends of football fan killed after Champions League final tell of 'horror' scene of his death
The O2
Check out the cool stuff happening under our tent such as the hottest gigs, comedy, sport, films, clubs, bars, restaurants and much more.
Can you imagine a career in teaching?
Be inspired to teach - let real teachers show you how rewarding the job can be.
Playing a game-changing role during the Games
Cisco is providing the solutions for London 2012's complex IT needs.
Win a Silverstone track day with Zantac 75
Feel the burn of a different kind - 20 Silverstone motoring experiences to be won
Reader Offers email A fantastic selection of
offers, giveaways and
promotions.
Cannes Film Festival - in pictures
Biggest ever image of the Queen, and she also appears made out of stamps, cheese and BEER
Man v Woman v Food: the big burger challenge
New kids from the Bloc: new wave of Russians settling in London
London drug dealer pictured himself with bags of cannabis and wearing crown of £20 notes
BarChick: Janet's Bar