3/1 To Win
It’s set to be another busy summer for a trio of Derby County defenders.
After a short-break, following the conclusion of the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship season, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce and Cyrus Christie are all set for a swift return to action – this time on the international stage.
Republic of Ireland have three games ahead of them – two friendlies and an important FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifier.
After taking some time to ‘switch off’ from football with his family, Keogh is ready for a return to action with Martin O’Neill’s side as they prepare to build on their positive start to their qualifying campaign.
The 30-year-old told RamsTV: “I had a little bit of time before I met up with the Ireland squad, so I managed to take my family away and switch off from football for a little bit.
“Everyone needs that, more so mentally than physically, because you do need to dust yourself down.
“Obviously, I had to keep myself fit because we have got three games – two friendlies and the big qualifier against Austria.
“It’s going to be another short summer for me with that. The last four have been pretty full on, but it’s always a great honour to represent your country.”
It all starts again on Thursday evening when Republic of Ireland take on Mexico in New Jersey on Thursday evening (1am BST on Friday 2nd June).
Keogh, Pearce, Christie and co then return to home soil to face Uruguay in another friendly on Sunday 4th June, before facing Austria at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, in their latest crucial World Cup qualifier a week later on 11th June.
O’Neill’s men have won three and drawn two of their first five games and currently lie second in Group D – four points ahead of third-placed Wales – and Keogh has labelled the Austria game as ‘massive’.
Assessing the run of form Ireland are on at the moment, the defender also feels the squad is still riding a crest of a wave following their exploits at the UEFA Euro 2016 Finals in France – a competition they reached the quarter-finals in.
Keogh added: “Because of the season ending quite early in the Championship, it is important that we have had a bit of time to build up to the big games.
“They are what international football is all about. We’re playing against great countries and great players.
“We have got two tasty friendlies and hopefully I can get out on the pitch and then be involved in the Austria game.
“That’s a massive match for us and if we can pick up a positive result in that then it will leave us in great shape in the group.
“We have had a good start. The confidence from the Euro’s has been a massive part of that and there’s also the fact that a lot of the squad has been together for a long time now and know each other inside out.
“We have ridden the confidence and with it the performances have been very strong.
“We know we need to keep that going if we want to qualify for the World Cup, but we will be going all out to try and do that.”
