Emotional finale for Ireland’s greatest goalscorer Keane

Robbie Brady and Jon Walters (2) scored the other goals, as Martin O’Neill’s men gave the 36-year-old veteran the ideal send off.

He was belatedly re-united with his worldwide team-mates this week after securing a move from Ipswich to Newcastle and is now hoping to continue on the upward curve his career has taken in recent seasons.

Burnley defender Ward said: “Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, I suppose, it is the old cliché”.

The victory over Italy which secured Ireland’s passage to the knockout stage in France and their spirited display against the hosts in the last 16 have given cause for optimism, and Randolph for one believes that is justified as they prepare to go into battle with the Serbs, Wales, Austria, Moldova and Georgia.

They will head for Belgrade with manager Martin O’Neill having signalled something of a changing of the guard in France during the summer with senior men Keane, Shay Given – both of whom have now retired from global duty – and John O’Shea playing only supporting roles as a new generation of leaders came to the fore. Would I compare him to Denis Irwin?

Ireland head for Belgrade as they set out on the road to the 2018 finals in Russian Federation boosted by what they achieved in France, but acutely aware of the page which has been turned following the retirements from global football of Shay Given and Robbie Keane. He’s a really great professional and he’ll be a big loss to us.

This means Sunday’s showdown takes on added significance for both sides and it is the home side – now managed by Karel Jarolim following Pavel Vrba’s departure earlier this summer – who are favourites to start their campaign with a win.

Keane admitted his first half goal was the ideal ending to an emotional week, a strike, he says, the whole country was willing him to score.

He said: “I think he leads”.

Murphy will also face a new challenge when he returns from Ireland duty as he joins Newcastle’s fight for an immediate return to the top flight.

“Obviously they’ve kept him on”.

He said: “I have got Seamus in front of me, but every time I go out there, it is an opportunity”.

“I wished the manager well and the best”.

The squad will fly out to Belgrade on Saturday with Ireland set to take on Serbia at 20:45 CET (19:45 Irish time) on Monday, September 5.