Scotland admire and respect Robbie Keane but they will be ready for him.
That was the defiant message from the Scots’ camp as they cranked up the build-up to Saturday’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland.
The Irish are odds-on to throw the LA Galaxy veteran into the firing line at the Aviva Stadium despite the frontman missing Sunday’s goalless friendly against England because of club commitments and being used only as a late substitute by boss Martin O’Neill in the Republic’s defeat at Celtic Park in November.
McGhee, who gave Keane his big break when he was manager of Wolves, is wary and respectful of the man who has scored 65 times for his country and who will be winning his 140th cap this weekend.
Keane (34) is an Irish legend but his old club gaffer he still thinks Scotland can put out a side capable of coping with his threat.
“I think it’s not impossible that Robbie will play,” said McGhee.
“He didn’t play against us here but he is such an important player for them and he can bring something to their team.
“I think that even if he were on the bench in a really tight game you would still worry about him coming on.
“Robbie, no matter how Martin decides to use him, could still be a significant player in this game.
“I was a little surprised that he didn’t start against us and so was he.
“I spoke to him before the game and he was disappointed because Robbie is one of these boys who wants to play and train in every match.
“He wants to play every minute of every game and I was delighted he wasn’t playing at Celtic Park.
“Likewise, I will be pleased again if he doesn’t play on Saturday but I expect him to do so.
“Robbie has such natural ability that he can improvise a finish, play a pass or lay a ball off.
“He has that subtle touch to his game and has natural ability.
“You can tell your players what to expect but it will come down to them on the day how they deal with him.
“Time and time again we have seen players struggle against him but we can cope.
“I don’t think we will pick a back four to deal just with Robbie Keane.
“We wouldn’t alter our thinking like that but we would fine-tune it to take Robbie into consideration.”
Of course, it isn’t all about Keane and McGhee highlighted another player whom he believes is desperate to win this weekend.
Scots-born and raised Aiden McGeady is the one in question, with the ex-Celtic wideman having received a load of stick from the home fans as the Scots clinched a 1-0 victory last autumn at his former home stadium.
McGhee saw a spark in McGeady’s eyes as he watched the Republic’s 0-0 bore draw with the English and thinks he is counting the hours until kick-off against the Scots.
“If there was one thing that I took out of the game yesterday it was McGeady’s body language,” he said.
“I thought it was excellent and I thought he looked right at it.
“I think he was preparing himself seriously for this game so I think we can expect a big game out of him. He is someone we are going to have to handle.
“I think that our supporters gave him a hard time in the home game.
“He knows all our players and would have been hurt by that (defeat).
“So I think he is just looking for a wee bit of revenge and I think you saw that in him yesterday.
“I certainly know that, as a player, I played better when I was a little bit angry over something.
“If you that bit of an edge to you it can make you a better player.
“We know what he is capable of so we will be prepared for it.”
Steven Naismith, who took a heavy knock in Friday’s friendly against Qatar, trained with the rest of the squad, who also welcomed Alan Hutton after his extended break.