Keane happy to shoulder burden

Robbie Keane will not be weighed down by expectation as he leads the Republic of Ireland into Euro 2012 battle.

The 31-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker will wear the captain's armband in Poland and Ukraine, but will also be the man expected to carry the bulk of his side's goal threat after extending his record tally for the nation to 53 in qualification.

He said: "Of course there's always responsibility on you as captain. Especially when you are away for so long, there are going to be times where a few of the lads are going to be down, there are going to be a few little niggles in training with players, but that's normal stuff when you are away and you are stuck in a hotel for a long, long time."

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