Jordan: Loan deal won't be made permanent

However, Jordan is adamant the Republic of Ireland international still has a big role to play at Spurs. "Without a doubt Keane will return, he's the captain," said Jordan.

"Harry Redknapp brought him back here and he was a major player in getting us out of trouble last season, not just on the pitch, but in the dressing-room as well.

"He was an influential guy, he's a leader, and there's not many of them going about. It wasn't just the player, it was the person we wanted." The Republic of Ireland forward looked a class apart while netting a treble against Kilmarnock in Saturday's Active Nation Scottish Cup tie, following his brace against Falkirk last week.

However, when asked if people in England would look at his scoring record and claim it was easy north of the border, Keane laughed and replied: "You can't win sometimes.

"I can only concentrate on what I do as a footballer and scoring goals is what I do best. If I continue to do that and help the team then that is the important thing.

"I didn't get much of the ball in the first-half and you are always disappointed when that happens.

"But you have to give credit to Kilmarnock for that, they made it difficult for us in the first half, putting two midfielders in front of the back four. It was difficult to pass through but once we got the first goal the game was always going to open up."

Celtic ended up comfortable winners in the end but Allan Russell hit the woodwork twice before Keane's 63rd-minute opener turned the tie in the visitors' favour.

The Kilmarnock striker acknowledged Keane as one of the best strikers in the world but, like everyone else at Rugby Park, quickly turned his attention to the battle to stay in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The Ayrshire side are only six points above bottom side Falkirk and are level with Hamilton, whom they play next.

Russell said: "We have Hamilton here a week on Wednesday and that will be a huge game. We will be looking to take three points from that."