Gordon Strachan was a huge influence on Robbie Keane

Ireland captain set for clash with former manager Gordon Strachan.

Robbie Keane has thanked Gordon Strachan for helping him put in place a solid foundation for a brilliant career for clubs and country.

But the appreciation for Strachan will quickly disappear for 90 minutes in November when Keane lines up against Scotland at Celtic Park in the Euro 2016 qualifier.

Keane will skipper the Republic of Ireland that night, and will seek out his former mentor before kick-off.

Strachan signed him for Coventry City in 1999 for £6-million, then sold him to Marcello Lippi’s Inter Milan a year later for £12-million.

That season spent at Coventry was one of the most memorable of his life.

Keane said: “Gordon has been a huge influence on my career, without a doubt.

“I’ve said for many years that he was a manager that really helped me and he has been one of the best I’ve ever had. He was the main reason why I settled into the English Premiership so quickly.

“I was just a skinny little kid, 18 years old, when I joined Coventry from Wolves. I was playing against the best players in the world, yet Gordon urged me just to out onto the pitch and enjoy myself.

“He told me there was no responsibility or pressure, just to relax and give it my all.

“His training sessions were also really enjoyable. He just loves the coaching aspect to it all. He was very hard, but very fair.

“When you listen to him talk about the game, he makes so much sense. He simplifies things.

“He just loves football. He makes it very, very easy for players even an 18-year-old like myself all those years ago. He made it easy to understand when it could have been difficult.

“When you think of the team we had at Coventry at that time, we played some really good football and finished 10th in the League. Yet some people thought we’d get relegated.

“We had Hadji and Chippo playing, and some of the football was really entertaining.

“I’m glad Gordon has had a successful career in management. He has turned it around for Scotland, and there appears to be a whole new atmosphere now that he is in charge.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Gordon. And I will call him ‘gaffer’. I dare not call him anything else!

“I remember a young kid at Coventry was out on loan somewhere. When he returned, he bumped into the gaffer and said ‘Hiya, Gordon’. I don’t think the kid was spotted ever again at the club!

“So it will be nice to catch up with him at Celtic Park. But I will be all out to put one over on him 100%.”

That foundation has led to many multi-million moves for Keane to the likes of Spurs and Liverpool. He has also played 134 times for his country and scored 62 goals.

He’ll lead Martin O’Neill’s men out in Georgia tonight for their opening 2016 qualification game, and he hopes to steal a march on Scotland while they’re taking on Germany in Dortmund.

The 34-year-old charismatic captain said: “It’s important we go to Georgia and have a little go at them. That said, we will be cautious and careful. But it would be great to get three points on the board.”