Redknapp confirms that Keane will quit Spurs

Robbie Keane

Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Robbie Keane will be allowed to leave Spurs next month.

It’s unlikely that a return to Celtic will be considered but stranger things have happened as recently as January of this year.

Keane has only started two Premiership games this season with his only Tottenham goal coming against Arsenal in the Carling Cup with Spurs losing 4-1 at home.

The form of Peter Crouch, Jermaine Defoe and Roman Pavyluchenko have limited the 30-year-old’s opportunitoes with Aston Villa apparently keen to do business with Spurs.

Keane has held talks with Redknapp about moving next month with the Spurs boss admitting that another move looks likely for the club captain.

Redknapp said: “I think he’d like to move – he wants to play, you know?

“He’s not used to not playing. All his career, he’s played and been a big player and he wants to play.

“He could sit here and take his wages, but that’s not him.

“He wants to play football. He trains hard, works hard every day, he’s shown a great attitude.

“And probably the hardest decision I had to make was last week: I couldn’t get him on the bench.

“It wasn’t easy when you respect somebody and what a good player he is or has been. It was hard, because he’s still a good player.”

In 19 appearances for Celtic last season Keane scored 16 goals and was voted supporters player-of-the-year despite only joining the club in the January transfer window.

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