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Keane: I'd have been a hit without Rafa
Tom Collomosse18.03.09
Robbie Keane claims he would have been a success at Liverpool if Rafael Benitez had not been manager.
The striker returned to Tottenham in January after failing to impress Anfield boss Benitez in a miserable six months at the club following his £20.3million move from White Hart Lane.
Keane had previously insisted he had no axe to grind with Benitez, but today told Icon magazine: "I do believe with a different manager it would have worked for me, but different managers have different methods and some have different ideas than those you are used to or believe in.
"People have their own opinions of Benitez. I have nothing against him and will leave people to make up their own minds. When you've been around for a while as a player, all you want is a bit of respect and to be treated the way you feel you deserve to be."
Keane has enjoyed a new lease of life since returning to Spurs. With Jermain Defoe sidelined with a foot injury, Keane is beginning to form a productive partnership with Darren Bent, leaving Roman Pavlyuchenko on the bench.
Spurs face Chelsea this weekend, and Blues boss Guus Hiddink, who is Pavlyuchenko's manager at international level, wants the Russia striker to get a run-out.
Hiddink said: "I hope that Pavlyuchenko will play against Chelsea."
Reader views (5)
Im sure that Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babbel, all fit in the same category, but Robbie is quality player, Liverpool survive on 1 players being fit...Only 2 players could get into the Man Utd team! Gerrard and Torres...
- Adrian, london
I agree with both of the previous comments, Keane just wasn't good enough to get in the team on a regular basis - he was a squad player and no more. Looking good in a poorer team is easy!
- Paul Fordham, Cambs, UK
My friend from Manchester, look no further than Berbatov..
My friend from London, Rafa is like a spoilt child, wants everything and when he gets it, he throws the toys from the pram...This is the man who wanted a midfielfer, then bought a striker, as a non supporter of liverpool, he never needed Keane!
Yep, i agree, Robbie has his hom, just like Gerrard, why don't go to a bigger club might add to his collection of medals to add his others, like the premiership!
- Adrian, london
Actually "Robbie" Keane is an example of many footballers in the premiership - not really that good in historic or international terms, with an inflated ego largely on the basis of being hugely over-paid.
- David, Manchester UK
no you wouldn't Robbie. You were a small fish in a big pond at Liverpool & clearly lack both the ability & bottle 2 play on the big stage. U & Spurs r well suited
- Jk, London
