Giovanni Trapattoni hopes Robbie Keane’s lack of football works in his country’s favour.
The striker has made just two substitute appearances for Spurs this season and had been linked with a transfer deadline day move to Turkish side Besiktas.
The Italian said: “Robbie is mature. I have spoken to him about whether he should stay with his club, and I said to him, ‘Sure, your club need you’.
“He is balanced in his mind about football because he knows from many years in England, he knows the situation.
“But I am selfish and at the moment. For Ireland team, it is better he has played a few games.
“He is proud and I’m sure he can play like the Robbie Keane we know.”
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
