The 29-year-old helped himself to a double in his country's 3-0 win over the North Africans last night to take his international tally to 43.

Algeria used their visit to Dublin as part of their preparations for the World Cup finals, which get under way in a fortnight's time, and more specifically for their Group C encounter with England in Cape Town on June 18.

But for Keane, who was denied his chance to figure on the big stage once again by Thierry Henry's play-off handball back in November, the only tournament on his mind is the one for which he and his team-mates will launch a new qualifying campaign in September, Euro 2012.

Asked about the Algerians and the readiness or otherwise for South Africa, Keane replied: "I am not too bothered about the Algerians, that's being totally honest with you.

"They are going to the World Cup - good luck to them. People keep asking me about England, but I am not too interested, I am not bothered.

"I am bothered about what we do and our performance. We are not here as warm-up boys for anyone, we are here for our own campaign, the next campaign, and to get ourselves ready for that."

Keane's focus mirrors that of manager Giovanni Trapattoni, who voiced the opinion after the game that if his team plays during qualification as they have done against Paraguay and Algeria in the last week, they will not be disappointed a second time.

The South Americans, like last night's opponents, will head for the World Cup, and will do so having been beaten by a side which, on the face of it, had little more than pride for which to play.

However, Keane said: "As players, you always want to win games regardless of whether they are friendly games - there's no such thing as a friendly when you put that jersey on.

"It's about winning games and luckily enough, we have won these two games and everyone can go away for the summer happy now and look forward to next season."

The game marked the end of a two-week exercise which saw Trapattoni run the rule over some of his up-and-coming players before drafting several of them into the senior squad, and one of them made a swift impact.

Derby midfielder Paul Green won his first cap as a substitute at the age of 27 in midweek, and he marked his first start with the opening goal against Algeria, although he later admitted he knew little about his 32nd-minute strike after being accidentally kicked in the head by keeper Faouzi Chaouchi as he did so.

Green said: "I'd like to see it again on TV as I don't remember anything about it.

"All I remember was Liam Lawrence and Robbie Keane slapping my face and then the rest of the team coming over and jumping on me.

"I don't think I was actually knocked out, but there was something there for a split-second.

"I didn't know where the ball had gone, to be honest - but I would take a knock like that any day to score for my country."

Keane effectively wrapped up the win with his side's second seven minutes after the break, and he then converted an 85th-minute penalty on a night when the Republic could have won even more handsomely.

The result capped a good week for Ireland and in particular for Wolves frontman Kevin Doyle, who has earned the praise of both his manager and captain for his efforts over the last year or so.

Doyle, however, modestly brushed aside their comments, saying: "If any manager is asked about his player, he will be complimentary.

"But it's nice. It's good for your ego and gives you a bit of confidence, but that's about it.

"I am probably treating football more professionally as well, learning how to live my life a bit better and all that goes with it.

"That shows in games. You learn with every game, you get stronger - since I have gone to Wolves, probably I have become physically stronger and fitter, and all those little percentages make a big difference."

Speculation has linked Doyle with a move to Arsenal this summer, but once again, he played down the reports.

He said: "I have no reason to think other than I will be at Wolves next season."