The Premier League is back and there some new faces in the punditry studio.
With Thierry Henry deciding to quit Sky Sports over the summer, the broadcasters have a free slot on their panel. So, for Sky’s coverage of Tottenham against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, they gave Robbie Keane and Shola Ameobi their punditry debut on the station.
The pair made their first appearance on Sky alongside regular Jamie Redknapp.
Ameobi was a cult hero for the Magpies and Keane was one of Tottenham’s best strikers during the Premier League era.
The Dubliner spent eight years at Spurs across two spells, captaining the side and scoring 122 goals in 306 games. He was part of the Tottenham team that won the League Cup in 2008, their last piece of silverware, and formed a brilliant strike-partnership with Dimitar Berbatov.
Keane, who turned 38 in July, said on the show that he still hasn’t retired and that he has some offers that he is mulling over. He joked that he thought Ameobi had retired five years ago. The former Newcastle striker had a spell with Notts County last season but is currently without a club.
Robbie Keane to shola ameobi “I thought you retired 5 years ago?” 😬 #awkward
— Denny Hulme (@Hulmey4) August 11, 2018
Keane last played for ATK in the Indian Super League, where he finished the season as player-manager.
The former Republic of Ireland striker had a solid start to life as a pundit and could have a future in the Sky studio.
WATCH: Robbie Keane feels Spurs will fall short of title challenging this season but a cup success could be a priority
Live on Sky Sports Premier League: https://t.co/Ufch13BTs6 #TakeYourSeat pic.twitter.com/rmuu42pygV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 11, 2018
Robbie Keane available, it's about time we finally get him isn't it after years of been linked to him. #safc #HawayTheLads
— Stevie (@bigsteviedove) August 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/MarkMcFarlane29/status/1028228579405045760
New season! New @SpursOfficial members pack! New stadium! And great to see #Spurs legend Robbie Keane too! #Harry2ScoreinAug #OOO #StrongSquad #COYS 🙌🏾💪🏾👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/T9A9dzUHfL
— Kulveer, Lord Ranger (@KulveerRanger) August 11, 2018
There were a few obvious jokes.
https://twitter.com/Andyh68/status/1028230474378952705
“I always dreamed of being a sky sports pundit when I was a kid” Robbie Keane
— Andy LFCDT (@AYPrivateEye) August 11, 2018
It’s always been Robbie Keane’s dream to work for Sky Sports. #NEWTOT
— Ian Hart (@VillaHarty) August 11, 2018
But most viewers were happy to see Ireland’s record goalscorer.
https://twitter.com/AlexDimech/status/1028233777305268225
Great to se robbie keane on sky legend
— Alan Finn (@FinnAlanfinn10) August 11, 2018
Robbie Keane on sky sports news is the best signing of the summer
— tom dean (@tom_dean33) August 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/davemeade93/status/1028234121406046208
