Listen to the full interview via the podcast.
Very few strikers have managed to notch the 62 international goals that Robbie Keane has for Ireland.
But if fate had intervened, the Ireland captain could have ended up as a right back.
Ireland's record goalscorer was in the Off The Ball studio to chat to Ger Gilroy and revealed that his change of position from defender to striker was thanks to his uncle, who also happens to be the father of legendary League of Ireland striker Jason Byrne.
"I started off as a right back," Robbie told Ger, "I remember that I was taking the corners, free-kicks and penalties. Then my uncle - Jason Byrne's father - took over the team and moved me straight up front. I continued to score goals and went from there."
Keane has a nose for a goal as he has shown during his club and international career. And he sees movement as the most vital ingredient for his goalscoring exploits.
"It's a bit cat and mouse with the defenders. Sometimes you make a run and then just stand and stop. Watch Messi. Sometimes he walks but then he gets on the ball and he's gone again. It's about using your head and creating that yard of space.
The Los Angeles Galaxy has also experienced plenty of movement in his club career at 10 British clubs and spells at Inter Milan and the MLS.
Keane left Dublin for England at the tender age of 15 to join Wolves in 1995. But he almost went to boyhood club Liverpool instead - a club he would sign for in 2008. But he believes his career path may not have worked out to perfection had he joined a big club like the Reds.
"I had the chance to sign for Liverpool which was a tough decision, especially being a fan. But I just had a good feeling about Wolves. In my own head, I wanted to have an opportunity fairly quickly in respect of trying to play as soon as possible. It worked out perfectly for me. If I'd gone to somewhere like Liverpool I probably wouldn't get the opportunities," said the 33-year-old.
Robbie Keane at Wolves ©INPHO/Allsport
But he admitted to Ger, that it is harder for young Irish players to make it in England, compared to his teenage years.
"When I joined Wolves there were five Irish guys, one Scottish and the rest were English. There weren't any foreign players at the time. Now what's happening is that all the young foreign players are joining Premier League and Championship clubs at a younger age. It's not giving kids in England the opportunity. I hope that does not affect young Irish players going to England."
Keane expects his nomadic existence to come to an end now that he is in LA with a son who is due to start elementary school soon.
But he is coming to that time of his career when he is thinking of his international future and what he wants to do when his playing career ends.
Keane does not intend to call time on his Ireland career anytime soon, especially with the "buzz" generated by the appointment of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane.
But he admits that it's the manager's prerogative to decide if he deserves to start key games.
"If the manager wants me to score goals, then that's what I'll do. If the manager wants me to play in a certain position, that's what you do because that's ultimately the manager's choice. If it comes to a point where the manager feels it's better to play someone else in certain games, I haven't a problem with that. The country is bigger than me," said Keane who also explains that playing in the MLS keeps him sharp, despite what the naysayers claim.
"There's a lot of pressure. People think it's easy when you go over there. But when you're one of the designated players, there's a lot of pressure on your shoulders because the fans and players look up to you to do something in the game. If you're playing in England, you've got 17 players around you on the same level."
Management is among the ambitions for Keane down the line when he eventually hangs up his boots.
"It won't happen for a few years but it's something I'm very interested in doing. Listeners can't see the coat I have on, but it's almost a Mourinho coat. If I'm even close to being like him, I'd be happy with that," he quipped.
As Ireland captain, Keane has the honour of voting for the Ballon D'Or and this year he revealed that his vote went to Ronaldo based on his talent and recent form and in the past he has gone for players like Andres Iniesta and Wesley Sneijder
"As a forward-thinking player, they are players that I would look at," he said.
Robbie Keane was pictured today at the launch of the most anticipated console of the year; Xbox One. Xbox One brings together the best games, the best multiplayer experiences through Xbox Live and the hottest entertainment offerings in a system built to deliver best-in-class experiences for the future, today and every day after.
