Redknapp started with Keane and Jermain Defoe in attack this season but Peter Crouch has forced his way into the reckoning, with the Tottenham manager pleased with the competition for starting places among his forwards.
Related ArticlesSpurs worry over Woodgate's time outVieira was interested in Spurs move"I have been pleased with Robbie," he said. "Robbie came back to the club a year ago when we were struggling and I felt he lifted the place.
"He came in with his personality around the place and enthusiasm, then we had a great run. He was terrific for us.
"I improved the squad and brought Crouchy in. I started with Robbie and Jermain and had a great start with two little ones. Then I brought Crouchy in and he got a hat-trick.
"Now he is in the team and Robbie is on the sidelines but his attitude has been first-class, his enthusiasm is infectious around the place and in the dressing room. He wants to win. That is why he is such a terrific player.
"Some people have criticised him and said he is not what he was but I have been well pleased with him."
Keane has still scored nine times this season, one more than Crouch, but has been accused of having negative body language when he has been substituted in 12 of his 17 starts this season. He was also said to be the ringleader in the infamous secret Christmas party that angered Redknapp - but the Spurs boss does not see that as a way of Keane telling him he is unhappy.
"If he did he would come and see me, I am sure," Redknapp said. "Robbie is his own man - he wouldn't be afraid to knock on my door and say he is not happy here. He would come and see me.
"He wouldn't try and instigate something behind my back. He is an up-front guy. He would come and talk to me about it. If players think that way you talk to them about it."
Redknapp was considering his attacking options before this weekend's trip to Liverpool was postponed due to the weather causing safety concerns around Anfield.
"It would have been a big decision at Liverpool," Redknapp said. "Keane and Crouch have been at Liverpool, Defoe is in good form. When Robbie plays, he drops in and thickens us up a bit in midfield."
Keane returned to Spurs a year ago after six unhappy months at Liverpool, while Crouch put himself on the map with his three campaigns at Anfield.
"Crouchy did well there," Redknapp said. "It was a great move for him, it was the making of him really.
"He had been around at Portsmouth, Southampton, didn't do it at Villa and then suddenly that step up to Liverpool was another level and he did well. He got into the England team through going to Liverpool."
Source: Telegraph
Source: Telegraph