Carr on how Keano bounced back from personal tragedy to score iconic cheeky goal

On this day, 21 years ago, Robbie Keane demonstrated remarkable strength to not only return to action just two weeks after losing his father, but to go on and score one of his most memorable Spurs goals.

Back on 5 April, 2003, with his father having sadly passed just a fortnight before our Premier League clash with Birmingham City, Robbie - aged just 22 at the time - showed admirable courage to make himself available for the game.

Despite having missed the last two months through injury, the legendary forward was picked to start the game but he showed no signs of a lack of sharpness or that his attentions - however understandable - were focussed elsewhere as within just seven minutes of kick-off, he scored one of the cheekiest goals that England's top flight has seen.

Described by then first team manager Glenn Hoddle as 'like Jimmy Greaves', after a move broke down and the ball was claimed by Blues goalkeeper Andy Marriott rolled the ball out without realising the alpha-striker Keane was hiding behind him. The Republic of Ireland international then burst into life, scampering around the 'keeper, stealing the ball and slotting home before Marriott could even react!

And, according to his Spurs and international team-mate Stephen Carr, 'it was just the tonic' his friend needed after a painful few weeks away from the pitch...

"It's been a horrible time for Robbie," said Stephen in an interview with us after the game in 2003. "I don't know how I'd be in that position but he's coped with it all very well from what I've seen.

"I think it was just the tonic for him coming back on Saturday and scoring. That will give him a boost.

"He's a massive player for the club. He can change a game for you and you need the likes of Robbie always fit and playing. I think we'll see a lot more of him and we've not seen the best of him yet. He's only 22 and he'll only get better. The more games he plays the more confident he'll get and he'll score more goals.

"He's closing in on the Irish record already. I imagine he'll beat that and then set a mark that will be tough for someone else to catch. He is world class, an excellent player and a down-to-earth lad as well. There is nothing big-headed about him and that's nice because he's done such a lot in his career already for such a young lad.

"He's level-headed and as long as he keeps it that way, which I'm sure he will, he hasn't changed yet after all he's done, then he'll be a better and better player."

And Stephen was not wrong as Robbie went on to score 112 goals in 306 appearances for the Club across two spells and now sits 11th in our all-time top goalscorers' chart. He also went on to become the Republic of Ireland's all-time top appearance maker (146) and goalscorer (68).