By Cathal Dervan

BOBBY Robson was back on the training pitch with the Irish soccer team on Monday after revealing how close he came to packing up football through necessity after his recent brain surgery.

Robson, who is still waiting to regain full movement on his left side after he had a brain tumor removed back in August, is relishing the chance to work with Stephen Staunton and his players again.

And he has also revealed how determined he is to make his working relationship with Staunton pay off as he returned to action in time for Wednesday night’s game against San Marino.

“After surgery I knew from a health point of view I wasn’t going to be in the best situation. I could not even stand up and I could not move my left arm,” Robson said.

“I knew how much I wanted to come back but also realized there was a chance I couldn’t. I am three-quarters of the way there now and I want to get back to 100%. Even now, if I lift my left arm 10 times I am tired.

“I have neuro-physiotherapy every day. It takes an amazing amount of energy to fight back. I have basically had to regenerate my brain to teach my arm and leg to work again. But I have got my speech and I still feel competent in my head.

“I did not want to retire. I have been involved in football for over 50 years and I want a few more in it yet. I just knew I had to come back now because I knew it would be good for me.

“The reason I took this job with the Republic of Ireland was to have another couple of years in the game at the top level and to help Stan and the team develop to the maximum of their potential. I still believe I can do that.”

Staunton has welcomed his mentor back with open arms. “It’s great that he is back,” said the Irish manager. “It’s been a remarkable recovery. Unbelievable, when you think about it. He wants us to be successful and he is proving it by being here, even with all that has happened to him.

“It’s great to have him around. He is right there for me now. I don’t have to be on the phone to him, I can now go and knock on his door or talk to him in the lobby, or wherever.”

Gravesen the Hero

Thomas Gravesen was the hat-trick hero as Celtic hammered St. Mirren 3-1 to maintain their grip on the Scottish Premier League lead at Love Street on Sunday.

Celtic are now a whopping 15 points ahead of Rangers thanks to Gravesen’s first ever triple.

The Danish midfielder said, “I’ve never scored a hat-trick before — it has taken me 30 years. They thought I was a holding midfielder in Real Madrid as well, but that’s wrong.

“I played my best football when I was at Everton, when I was further forward. The manager uses me a little bit of both ways here and that suits me very well. I do enjoy getting forward and this team gives me the license to do that.

“It’s very nice to score goals but it’s very important that we win the game. This was our 10th win in the SPL and with the injuries we have had it’s a fantastic run for the team.”

Even Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was surprised by the hat-trick and said, “You are not expecting hat-tricks from a midfield player, but he wasn’t the sitting midfield player that many claimed he was.

“I think he proved that at Real Madrid, he wasn’t comfortable with that but we knew he could create. He turns up in some incredible positions that you have never really planned but he has the ability.

“I asked him what he thought he was doing after a run in the second half but he said he didn’t have a clue. He said he stopped twice to think and it wasn’t a good idea. But it was good that he scored the hat-trick.”

Alan Thompson, meanwhile, is set to leave Celtic when the transfer window opens in January. Strachan told the Sunday Mail, “Alan would like to move on. There is no doubt about that and it is not a problem for me.

“He needs football at this stage and, unfortunately, we cannot give him that because the players in his position are doing well.”

And young striker Shaun Maloney has called off contract talks until January as he weighs up his future options.

Delaney in Charge

Chief Executive John Delaney, the man who appointed Stephen Staunton to the helm last January, will now stay in charge of the FAI until at least 2012.

His new long term deal means Staunton will have the full support of the most powerful officer in Irish football until the 2010 World Cup finals and the end of his own contract.

“This is a significant boost for Stephen Staunton’s position as manager ahead of the San Marino game on Wednesday night,” confirmed one seasoned FAI observer.

“John was the man who gave Stan the job and he was the one who stood by him when the flak was flying after the defeat in Cyprus last month. It is a big boost for Stan’s tenure as manager and good news for John Delaney as well.”

Delaney, who took the job full-time in succession to Fran Rooney back in March 2005, has signed up for at least another six years in the position.

“The progress made by the association under John’s executive leadership has been very significant and the board is delighted to have committed John until 2012,” said FAI President David Blood.

Shels Fail

Title chasing Shel-bourne have failed in their bid to have their controversial eircom League game against Bohs replayed. The league initially ruled Bohemians be deducted three points for the game they won as they played the suspended Jason McGuinness in the fixture.

Shelbourne appealed the decision and the FAI ordered that the game be replayed, but the matter was then referred to independent arbitrator Michael Collins by the league.

He announced on Tuesday that the original decision should stand, that Bohs be deducted the three points but that no replay be awarded to Shels, who are not likely to appeal his decision through the courts.

Ironically, Shels can win the league if they beat Bohs at Tolka Park on Friday night even if second placed Derry win at home to Cork.

Kenny Quits

Stephen Kenny has confirmed that he is to leave Derry City this week to take charge of Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline.

Kenny will quit the Brandywell after Friday night’s make or break clash with Cork City and then take charge of Dunfermline in Saturday’s league clash with Dundee United.

Kenny is, however, expected to attend next month’s FAI Carlsberg Cup final against St. Patrick’s Athletic in an advisory capacity.

Assistant boss Paul Hegarty will take charge of the Derry team for the cup final, but he will have to plan without influential midfielder Ciaran Martyn who is suspended for the big match.

Richardson’s Ultimatum

Cork City boss Damien Richardson is prepared to walk away from the club if outgoing chairman Brian Lennox can attract new investors who want to appoint their own management team.

Richardson said, “If Cork have someone now that can step in and step the club going back to part-time and that involves me stepping aside then I would, because I strongly believe we can’t go back that way.

“The league as a whole needs to realize that while things are better on the field and we are now a league of consequence, the off-the-field situation is completely unacceptable.”

Reid Defends

Irish winger Andy Reid has told the critics to get off Robbie Keane’s back. Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with San Marino, Reid said, “I don’t understand the criticism of Robbie. I think he should be captain, he’s one of our best players, he’s a leader on and off the pitch.

“He’s not a Tony Adams or a Roy Keane, but he leads by example and you just look at his goal record and the work rate he puts in on the pitch, it’s second to none. Again, I think it’s something which for some reason is personal more than anything to do with football. I’ve always felt that Robbie takes a lot of unfair criticism.”

Soccer Shorts

In-form Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes wants to extend his loan spell with Falkirk after rocketing to the top of the scoring charts in the Scottish Premier League. Stokes, who has also attracted interest from Celtic, Everton, Middlesbrough and Man-chester City, is due to go back to Highbury after Christmas . . .

THE GAA have turned down a request from Irish boss Stephen Staunton to allow his team to train at Croke Park this week ahead of the match against San Marino. A GAA source told Star Sunday, “Congress voted to allow non-national sports into Croke Park from January 1 next and we cannot go back on that decision.” . . .

COVENTRY City’s Irish midfielder Michael Doyle has been charged by the English FA for an x-rated tackle on Barnsley’s Brian Howard during a recent championship game . . .

DUNDALK striker Philip Hughes has been named the eircom/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month award for October . . .

A CONSORTIUM of Polish businessmen have made a bid to buy troubled eircom League side Limerick FC . . .

BLACKBURN Rovers have been linked with an £8 million move for Reading’s in-form Irish striker Kevin Doyle . . .

BRADFORD City have signed former Ireland midfielder Colin Healy on loan from Barnsley.