Robbie Keane does not want European loan during MLS winter break & feels Ireland can ‘upset a lot of people' at Euro 2012

Robbie Keane insists he has no intention of pressuring LA Galaxy into releasing him for a short-term move to Europe during the three month winter break. 

The Republic of Ireland captain flew back to California ahead of Sunday’s MLS Cup final against Houston Dynamo, after rejecting requests from the Galaxy to miss Tuesday’s play-off second leg against Estonia to prepare for the season finale. 

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £27.00

Draw £32.00

Ireland £24.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £28.00

Draw £29.00

Ireland £23.80

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £28.00

Draw £32.50

Ireland £25.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £28.80

Draw £33.00

Ireland £24.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £30.00

Draw £33.00

Ireland £24.00

And the 31-year-old has no intention of following David Beckham’s example of securing loan moves to Europe during the winter break as he does not want to risk burning himself out. 

“I won’t be looking to come back to Europe on loan, no way. It’s not something I want to do,” he told The Telegraph. 

“I will have a couple of months off during the close season and use that time to rest and recharge my batteries and I think it could work in my favour building up to the Euros. 

“By the time the tournament starts, I’ll be less than halfway through the MLS season and will hopefully be going to Poland and Ukraine fresh, rather than having had a long season behind me.”

And the Ireland skipper is adamant that Giovanni Trapattoni’s side can exceed expectations in their first major competition since the 2002 World Cup.

“I think we will. I don’t think it’s in the mindset of any player to be out after the group stages, we go into any tournament to do your best," he said.

“We have done all the hard work in getting there and, now that we are there, we can upset a lot of people, there is no question about that. 

“We’ve seen over the years that we’re a hard team to beat and we don’t concede too many goals. There are not many teams over there at Euro 2012 who will want to play us.” 

Keane's international team-mate Damien Duff, who also featured in Ireland’s 2002 World Cup campaign, believes that next summer’s tournament will be tough.

“I think I am going to enjoy this far more than the World Cup qualification 10 years ago," Duff said.

“When we qualified the last time I was young and you think it is all ahead of you, you think it is going to happen every tournament. 

“It’s not going to be easy next summer, though. There are fewer teams in the Euros and it will be tough, but the great thing is that we are there now. 

“It means so much to me and I know it means that much to the fans and to the whole country. Times are tough and if we can give everyone a lift it will be great.”