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Given led all the players over to the fans in Paris the other week and was the first to start throwing his shirt and gloves into the crowd. He is a superb leader of men and always gives 100% for the team irrespective of the opposition and the type of match (e.g. friendly). He genuinely cares about the future of the Irish team far beyond his career motivations.
Gerry Peyton played maybe 2 games during Packie Bonners tenure between the sticks. Then Alan Kelly sat on the bench for a good while before taking over the goalie jersey and distinguishing himself too. Brian Murphy or Westwood will step in when Shay goes - goalie is different to the rest of the positions.Quote:
Originally Posted by **FrOsTy**
Given is an irish legend and gentleman, Keane is just a bitter old woman who walked out on the country on the eve of what could have been our greatest hour.
Yeah, right!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Not for one moment doubting that. Given is one of our greatest ever players and a fantastic role model for young players with his loyalty to his club/country before himself but I'm just saying it would be nice to see Westwood/Murphy starting a few lesser friendlies.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Nickly Colgan: one of the least deserving Irish caps of all time, in my opinion (ex-goalkeeper).Quote:
Originally Posted by **FrOsTy**
If you're blooding new caps further up the pitch it's only fair to them that you pick experienced players in the positions that matter. One of Stan's biggest failings in my opinion was playing newbies all over the place without due consideration to team balance / experience etc.
Didn't Westwood play at least part of the Australia game and all of the Sth Africa game? Also half of the Nigerian game.Quote:
Originally Posted by **FrOsTy**
I think they were our last 3 friendlies.
Stan and Kerr played Kenny, J. Murphy, Colgan, Henderson and Doyle and none was anyhere near international standard. Not Shay's fault.
It all goes back to packie bonner and the caps thing
Might be nice, but it's nothing to do with Given. Manager's select. Given does what all players should do........when fit and selected he plays.Quote:
Originally Posted by **FrOsTy**
exactly. I'd want to play in every match i was called up for. Shay will be a long time retired! Best of luck to him!
And when Given (like Kibane) was selected he turned up every time, none of this injury bolloc*s when it was a friendly game and then miraculously recover by Saturday in time to play for Man.U.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenbod
Keane should have had over 100 caps and been Ireland's greatest player but he couldn't be arsed too many times.
yeah Given wants to play for his country as much as possible. he is such an a*****e......
Don't know where you're getting this from. Given is without doubt one of the nicest (and most committed) individuals I have come across in 30 years of going to Ireland games.Quote:
Originally Posted by tiktok
Keane was a fantastic footballer but, in terms of his commitment to and contribution to the International team, I would have Given and McGrath streets ahead of him.
Shay Given is a testament to his profession and his country.
Roy Keane left his second spell of international football with a whimper, it will be a truly sad and emotional night when Shay Given wins his last cap and finally hangs up his gloves.
If I was to read between the lines, the hunger for caps issue was about Kiely being (harshly?) cold shouldered for the friendly games. Keane was aware of it and typical of his cynicism he referred to it to try and portray Given in a poor light.
Keane used it first, afaia, when there were questions about him not turning up for friendlies and the comments became more barbed after Saipan.
I don't understand people who say "Given should step down" for smaller friendlies to give other people a chance, that's the managers decision to play him not his.
Keane's criticisms rarely endure even a superficial scrutiny.
It's the manager who picks the team.
And the same fans complain when the stadium isn't full because the team's full of players that Johnny Barstool has never heard of. You can't have it both ways.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murfinator
I would say Saipan is a factor but the main reason I would say Roy has it in for Shay is because of the lack of ambition he showed to get away from Newcastle and on the back of this the fact that he is into his 30s and still doesn't have a single medal to his name. In Roy's world I would say he would see Given as a failure.
On a tangent point, I think its fair to criticise Keane but it should be remembered his performances in the qualifying campaign for the 2002 WC were the best ever produced by an Irish international.
Couldn't agree more, I've been fortunate eneough to meet Given a couple of times and he was been totally bang on, always comes across as a well rounded down to earth individual in the mdeia as well who appreciates the position he has.Quote:
Originally Posted by EastTerracer
Where are these examples of him 'burning bridges' and being far from 'Mr. Nice' Tiktok?
There aren't any, its tiktok with his red cork tinted glasses.