Robbie Keane as mustard to be Irish captain

Irish forward Robbie Keane prior to the start of the World Cup 2006 qualifying match against France in October 2004. Keane was named Irish captain by coach Steve Staunton and will make his first start in that role against Sweden on March 1.

Spurs striker Robbie Keane was named Irish captain by coach Steve Staunton and will make his first start in that role on Wednesday against Sweden.

The 25-year-old - who edged goalkeeper Shay Given for the post - said he was honoured to be given the responsibility and said he hoped that he would do the job justice.

"I am very honoured," said Keane, who is Ireland's record goalscorer with 27 goals in 63 internationals.

"I am very grateful to Stan (Staunton) for putting his trust in me.

"It is a new chapter in my career and for Irish football.

"You always dream of captaining your country but I didn't expect it at the age of 25, I would have thought I might be older before I was captain.

"If I can lead by example on and off the pitch that will be a good thing. I am going to get the troops together and keep them together.

"To be honest, though, we should have 11 captains on the pitch."

Staunton, who replaced Brian Kerr after he was sacked following Ireland's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals, said that it had been a close run thing between Keane and Give, both team-mates from the 2002 World Cup finals which their coach was also part of.

"Shay was the obvious candidate," said Staunton.

"However I wanted somebody out on the park. If Robbie wasn't there then I would rely on Shay.

"I thought Robbie handled himself well when he was not in the Spurs team and knuckled down and got back in there.

"Our lads respect him he is a world class striker. He is getting on a bit! He is certainly up for it. He will be very good at it and be very proud of doing that.

"The fans see him as an icon.

"You just listen to the chorus tomorrow night.

"He does it up front like Shay does at the back. Responsibility will bring him on as a person."