Monday 17 November 2014 20:52, UK
Jurgen Klinsmann believes Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane should be viewed as a role model for all aspiring young footballers.
Keane will not be present when Klinsmann’s United States side run out at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening for a friendly international against the Irish in Dublin.
The 34-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker will be back on the other side of the Atlantic preparing for Sunday's MLS play-offs showdown against Seattle Sounders.
However, the US coach admits he repeatedly uses Keane as an example of what it takes to succeed as a player at the highest level.
The German said: "I often say that in the United States, Robbie Keane is a role model for all the American players growing up in this beautiful game.
"That's what he has done since he came overseas, he shows to the young players what it takes to become a professional, how much dedication you need, how much commitment you need.
"Robbie is the same Robbie in training as in the game, so he is huge for MLS because these are the type of players that you need to have in your environment to make the league grow and to make younger players understand what the real big players are doing.
"At the same time, he continues to play for Ireland at the highest level, scoring goals, going back and forth, so I definitely use him a lot as an example how to do it.
"He will leave a huge mark, hopefully a long time down the road, when he leaves the game, with what he has done for MLS over the years."
