The Republic of Ireland look set to lose their record goalscorer to retirement.
And while Robbie Keane isn’t the threat he once was, or a guaranteed starter, his absence from future squads will have symbolic significance and highlight the lack of goalscorers available to Martin O’Neill.
The Ireland manager has identified centre-forward as a problem position in the next qualification campaign.
Martin O'Neill identifies Ireland's problem position https://t.co/yiMM6dx84E
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 28, 2016
However, O’Neill cited Scott Hogan and Joe Mason as two strikers who he’ll be monitoring further, with an eye to involving them in the team’s attempt to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Hogan scored seven goals in eight games for Brentford last season after returning from a very serious knee injury. Born in Manchester, the 24-year-old qualifies for Ireland through his Irish grandparents.
“He’s another one who has come to the fore,” O’Neill said. “He looks like he’s got a little bit of pace as well.”
Mason plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers, and has featured for Ireland at U-19 and U-21 levels, qualifying for Ireland through his mother who was born in Mayo.
He joined Wolves from fellow Championship side Cardiff City in January, and scored three goals in 16 games.
“I’ll have a little look (at Mason) again,” O’Neill said.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to make a judgement on a player who is playing a couple of leagues below as to whether they could step up and do a job with this intensity at the minute.”
