Second suits Keane for now

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The Republic passed up the opportunity to maintain the pace with leaders Italy last night when they could ony draw 1-1 with Bulgaria at Croke Park, as Kevin Kilbane's late own goal denied them a fourth victory in five attempts.

Keane said: "I think we probably would have taken this at the start of the campaign, the position we are in at the moment and how many points we are ahead of Cyprus and Bulgaria."

However, they will jet out to Bari on Monday for Wednesday night's showdown with the world champions still seven points clear of the Bulgarians and Cyprus, who beat Georgia 2-1 on Saturday, having played one game more, and in pole position to claim at least a play-off berth.

That was a message manager Giovanni Trapattoni was swift to press home in the immediate aftermath of last night's disappointment, which came after Richard Dunne had headed the home side in front with just 40 seconds gone.

Keane explained: "He was saying, 'Pick yourselves back up, we didn't lose'. We have to look at the overall picture.

"Obviously, we are disappointed after going a goal ahead in the first minute.

"We would have taken second at the start of the campaign. We knew Italy were going to be the favourites.

"Obviously we want to push them and hopefully get to the top of the table, but I think people are thinking now we are going to get second."