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Published 18:05 13 Nov 2015 GMT
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"So as I walked from the dining room to my bedroom and heard Robbie tell some joke about some player from some training session, I stared at the floor. Of course I knew who he was. He was on Match of the Day every Saturday. Who was I? Nobody yet. Or so I thought. "How're ye Stevo?" he asked. Stevo. Fifteen years on, I think about that greeting and the easy way he introduced himself. Three players; Ian Harte, Damien Duff and Richard Dunne, were sitting with him. Yet he moved across and gestured for me to join him. That's his way.
Reid goes on to write how Keane has also helped others integrate with the squad, recognising that newly capped players, often young, shy players, needed to be welcomed into the group.
This, along with his incredible goal record, and commitment to the team, has earned the Ireland captain respect from all of his teammates, according to Reid.
"As a man, you've no idea how high my opinion is of him. And you have no idea how highly he is thought of in that Ireland dressing room. Why? Because they've all been that shy teenager. They've all made that lonely, self-conscious walk through a hotel lobby - and while I can't say for certain - I have little doubt they have all heard Robbie's Dublin accent shout 'how're ye?' at them across the lobby. Soon, that lobby will be quieter because - as Martin O'Neill hinted earlier this week - he will have to make a tough decision and bring an end to some careers. So there will be no more shouts of 'how are ye?' to young, awkward, shy footballers and there will be no more goals."
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