Germany vs Republic of Ireland: Robbie Keane aims to add insult to injury as Irish captain targets victory over World Cup champions
Germany suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Poland on Saturday and Keane believes his side can do the same when they meet in Gelsenkirchen tonight
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Your support makes all the difference.Robbie Keane has backed himself to pile the misery on world champions Germany if he gets the chance in Gelsenkirchen.
The 34-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker established himself as the leading scorer in European Championship qualifiers with a hat-trick against Gibraltar on Saturday evening, in the process taking his tally for Ireland to a staggering 65 goals.
Germany will provide much stiffer resistance on Tuesday evening, but Keane is confident he can still make his mark - if selected by manager Martin O'Neill.
He said: "You are not going into any game, certainly as a striker, thinking you can't get at them. I go into every game believing I can get chance and score a goal.
"You have to believe that, regardless of who you're playing against."
Germany have been cast in the role of wounded animal after Saturday's unexpected 2-0 Group D defeat in Poland, and Ireland will run out at the Veltins Stadium boasting a 100 per cent record from their opening two fixtures.
The Republic have suffered horribly at the hands of the Germans in the recent past, most notably when they were thrashed 6-1 at the Aviva Stadium in a World Cup qualifier in October 2012.
However, Keane insists that night is not even entering their thinking as they prepare to renew battle with one of world football's aristocrats.
He said: "To be honest with you, I don't think the players are thinking too much about what happened in the past. We have to concentrate on what we are doing now.
"We are certainly a different team than we were a few years ago. The players certainly haven't mentioned it this week, and they shouldn't be, to be honest with you.
"It's a completely different game and we're going into this game on a good run and with a lot of confidence.
"These games, you have to go and enjoy it. You have seen the stadium here - it's absolutely fantastic. These are games that any player wants to be involved in. You are playing against one of the best teams in the world - go out and enjoy it.
"As long as you know what your jobs are and stick to that, go out and give it a go because you are playing against the World Cup champions.
"We have players in this squad who are very, very comfortable in what they are doing at club level, and they and can bring it on to the international stage, there's no question.
"In the last two games, we have got some great results, so we are clearly confident that we can come here and get something out of the game."
PA
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