Estonia v Republic of Ireland: First Goalscorer Tip

Some people are made for the big stage - there’s a reason why Robbie Keane has quickly taken to life in Los Angeles. The Republic of Ireland may have a poor record in play-offs for major championships as a team, but the country’s leading goalscorer has left his own personal mark. The 31-year-old has scored three of his country’s six goals in these matches and he’s worth snapping up at 6/1 (Ladbrokes) in the first goalscorer market.

Keane has been scoring important goals for the Boys in Green since 1998. A year after that he scored against Turkey in a play-off for Euro 2000. In 2002 he enjoyed one of the highlights of a glittering career by netting three times at the World Cup in South Korea. He was still doing the business in 2009 when he scored in Paris; a goal that should have eliminated France and taken Ireland to another World Cup Finals. Only a travesty of a goal denied them on that occasion.

The former Tottenham striker is now enjoying a glorious late phase in his career. The goals have kept on coming for his country; there have been six in 2011, taking his tally to a record-breaking 51. Having now teamed up with David Beckham at LA Galaxy, the sharpness has returned at club level too. Keane scored on his debut and then went on to notch the third goal in the 3-1 win that booked a place in the MLS Cup Final. That was just days ago, and the talisman will surely be ready to strike again for Ireland in their hour of need.