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Does the potential return of Shay Given send out the right message?

The New Year is supposed to be a time for fresh starts and blank slates.But the rumour mill has b...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.40 5 Jan 2013


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Does the potential return of S...

Does the potential return of Shay Given send out the right message?

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.40 5 Jan 2013


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The New Year is supposed to be a time for fresh starts and blank slates.
But the rumour mill has been working overtime with the news that Shay Given could potential mak an unexpected return to the Ireland fold after his initial retirement in August 2012.
There is no question that Ireland’s most capped international was a great servant to the cause from the moment he made his 1996 debut against Russia.
But with Boys in Green trying to move forward after the carnage of 2012, does the 36-year-old’s return send out the right message?
It is too early to say whether Giovanni Trapattoni aims to deploy Given as a starter or as a deputy to current No 1 Kieren Westwood if a return is confirmed.

Game-time

If it is as a starter then Westwood has reason to feel resentful. The Sunderland No 2 has not been culpable for any of the goals Ireland have conceded since Given’s retirement.
Trap may have concerns over Westwood’s game time at club level – but then again Given has been playing second fiddle to Brad Guzan at Aston Villa this season.
Prior to the last few seasons Given was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe for much of his career.
But the Donegalman is also well past his peak with his form tailing off at Villa last season while his performances in Poland lacked the sheen of old.
However with 125 caps comes a wealth of experience which could be useful in the dressing room – but this should be as a number 2.
But it is unlikely that Given is returning to the fold in order to warm the bench which makes this a regressive step from Trap.
It is a short-term approach when the Ireland set up needs to be thinking long-term beyond the 2014 World Cup and blood the current generation.
Trap needs to concentrate on giving Westwood the requisite international experience (he only has 14 caps in four years) while also giving a chance to the likes of Darren Randolph and Norwich’s Mark Bunn who has been linked with a switch to Ireland.
But the manager has already shown reluctance to make the required changes in other areas of the field which means 2013 will be a case of “same old, same old”.

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Image by ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy


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