A mocked-up image of Keane as William Wallace was blazoned across a 40ft truck outside the Aviva stadium on the day the Republic of Ireland played Scotland in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

Poking fun at Scotland’s failed bid for independence, the poster read: “You may take our points but at least we have our freedom (ya wee pussies).”

Two of Ireland’s biggest law firms are now handling the case, with Keane expected to claim the poster infringed his image rights.

He could win more than €100,000 in the suit.

Paddy Power has remained upbeat, releasing a statement which says: “Hopefully they won’t take our freedom to have a bit of craic.”