Current manager Teddy Sheringham also praised me with great words, such as: ‘Brilliant’, ‘Superb’, ‘Utterly amazing’, ‘Great playing with him… an honour even’.
Also, John Gorman, former Assistant Manager had nothing but good things to say about me: ‘Pleasure working with him’, ‘Great player’, ‘Still getting better’ are only a few examples from many.
The former Arsenal captain, Patrick Vieira, was also one to compliment me with many decorative words. ‘Great to play against’, ‘Brings the best out in opposition’.
As many Spurs fans will know, I had to compete with Les Ferdinand for my place in the team. Les was full of complimentary things to say about myself after his debut. ‘Had to contend against him for a place, couldn’t have been a better player to lose out to’ is the most inspiring thing I had ever heard from another footballer.
Jamie Redknapp, the present captain at thirty-four years of age had these things to say about me. ‘Great player to play with’, ‘Easy to get along with’.
Darren Anderton, possibly one of the best players in England, was too, full of compliments. ‘Wonderful player… great tactician’.
David Pleat, Spurs’ director of football at the time of the buy was quoted in the newspaper after the first season at Spurs as saying ‘Best buy I ever made!’
Terry Venables, the Leeds manager, said ‘I’m annoyed I sold him to Spurs now… he’s making me rue that day.’
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I always wanted to be a star. I played football during all my free time when I was smaller, and now I’m at the top.
Although I have yet to marry, I’m enjoying my free time with my long-term girlfriend, Sarah Michelle Gellar.
‘I really like him’. Gellar admits. ‘He’s great fun, and I can be myself around him. There’s also the fact that I know he’s not only after me for my money, like Freddie Prince Junior turned out to be… what with his problems.’ Gellar, who was almost wiped out by ‘Prince’ because of a drug problem, looks to have finally found happiness with me.
‘He’s just a really approachable guy. He never came up and asked to buy me a drink, I had to do that… he’s just shy. Once you get to know him, you find that he’s so charming… he’s always himself, and isn’t artificial wherever he is. If he’s got a problem, he’ll make it known.’
Particularly on debuts is when I do better than other times. I remember getting two for Wolves, two for Coventry City, one for Inter, and one for Leeds on my full debut. But I couldn’t quite score against West Ham… I did however, help with the assist for Simon’s goal, make important tackles and I won a penalty, which Teddy stuck away.
I like Weird Al songs especially, but I just listen to what’s on mainly.
Many youngsters have died or cut their hair in a ‘Robbie Keane’ style, especially in Ireland, where I helped them to a semi-final spot in Euro 2004.
It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life… I still remember my hat trick against France, unfortunately though, we lost to Holland, but they went on to win the championships, so I don’t mind, though I would’ve preferred to get to the final.
I’ve always got the World Cup to look forward to this year, and Spurs have a great time in the Champion’s League, so I’ll have to perform a lot in the next couple of months.
I think that if we mould together, like we have done in the past, we could easily grab the title from under Liverpool’s noses. Matty and Simon will be holding players, and Milo, Dazza, and Jamie will add great experience to the team… I’ve seen them helping Blondy with his ball dispensing… I think when he’s 24 (next year); he’ll be a key player in the set-up. We have a great squad, and I feel that playing with Arnold Bruggink is great. He can really strike a ball, and also has great vision. You just have to see some of his goals for PSV, and Ajax, they were absolutely amazing. There’s also the fact that he’s only twenty-eight, so he can easily get passed half the defenders in the Premiership.
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My most memorable moment is when I was fourteen. I was in the middle of my class, and no one really thought a great deal of me. It was the first time I tried to get into a football academy. I played in goal then, and I was really good for my age. This was at a time when there weren’t any good keepers though. Anyway, one guy, who was a few years older than me and went to my school, Jack Doherty, (I really hated him, and he expressed his hate for me too, on countless occasions) was playing up front for the opposition. I remember Alan Smith, who was also trying out, striking the ball really hard at me. This is really when it all started, but I punched it away, and it went soaring over the bar. Alan took the corner, and I jumped for it. When I was in mid-air, I claimed it, and I fell on Jack. About twenty minutes later, he saw a senior player calling him over. He knew he was going to get subbed off, so he kept the ball in play, even though the last defender was down. He ran at me, and released a powerful strike, which I got down to save. I quickly threw the ball out of play, because of the injury, and he comes sliding in, double footed, with his studs showing. I tried to jump out of the way, but he slid straight through me. He caught me at my ankles, and I came out of hospital the next day with a broken ankle, and a damaged Achilles. I’m not sure what happened to Jack, but I didn’t see him at school again. I’ve never played in goal since, because I’ve feared that something like that may happen again.