Next Ireland Captain

**deadman** · 12/01/2006, 11:52 AM

Any thoughts or preferences.

personally, can't think of anyone who deserves it more than Given ... although having seen Robbie Keane grow up somewhat with the Spurs temporary captaincy i might think twice about it. not really a fan of keepers as captains as well

**Armando** · 12/01/2006, 12:00 PM

Given 100%.

There was a thread on this when Cunningham retired:
http://www.foot.ie/showthread.php?t=30287

**livehead1** · 12/01/2006, 12:26 PM

i would have always said given but i've changed my opinion and think that robbie keane should get the nod. There are a couple of reasons for this. He obviously works unbelievably hard at tottenham to have secured not only a first team place, but a key player, mido said the other day that davids and keane are the two best players at the club. He seems to be an influence in their dressing room and when he was captain the other night he went round to each and every single player before the game and wished them well, i think thats a sign of his growing maturity, something we have missed out on at interenational level before. I also feel young players in the ireland team strive to be robbie keane more than shay given, he is someone there more likely to listen to in training if he says when to hold the ball up or when to spread the play etc. Finally i think that if Keane was given the captaincy this constant whinging would tend to erradicate itself and maybe he would be more focussed, in a nutshell i think it would give him something to be immensley proud of, not that he isn't proud of playing for ireland, but he knows that he's always gonna get picked, but he doesn't know he's always gonna be the captain. Just a viewpoint that i feel may serve as to get the best out of the team and perhaps even more importantly, robbie keane, cos on his day, theres few can stop him.

**klein4** · 12/01/2006, 12:32 PM

stephen irealand or joey o brien should be captain. they are our two best players

**Tired&Emotional** · 12/01/2006, 12:32 PM

Glad to see we're moving on with this thread and looking to the other aspects of the Team. The mgt team is all but decided and it's time to push on .....Given for me - though listening to Kav on "Off the Ball" on Newstalk 106 the other night, think he mightened be a bad option either

**Peadar** · 12/01/2006, 12:35 PM

We had this before, when Kenny retired.

Think most people opted for Given.

He gets my vote anyway.

Originally Posted by klein4

stephen irealand or joey o brien should be captain. they are our two best players

Don't recall either of those guys being in a senior Ireland squad???

**Hither green** · 12/01/2006, 12:56 PM

I remember this discussion before and I'm still not convinced by giving it to a goalkeeper, especially as Given will marshall the backline anyway. I'd prefer to see an outfield player be made captain and in terms of attitude, experience and likelihood of playing every game I'd give it to either Keane or Dunne. Both will play in nearly every match and both, I think, are club vice-captains.

**Raheny Red** · 12/01/2006, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by klein4
stephen irealand or joey o brien should be captain. they are our two best players

Please insert "

" smilies when you make a post like that, thank you"!

**Stuttgart88** · 12/01/2006, 2:48 PM

I said this in the original thread but I'm just not keen on goalies also being captain. I wouldn't have thought this until very recently but maybe the captaincy is just what Robbie needs to keep his feet on the ground and apply himself, and play more responsibly.

**Schlooooomp** · 12/01/2006, 3:27 PM

What outfield player is guaranteed their place. My choices are:

1. Given
2. Dunne
3. Keane

**Hither green** · 12/01/2006, 4:04 PM

Originally Posted by Schlooooomp

What outfield player is guaranteed their place. My choices are:

1. Given
2. Dunne
3. Keane

Duff - but I can't see him as Captain.
Finnan - no idea about him.

**livehead1** · 12/01/2006, 4:43 PM

Originally Posted by Raheny Red

Please insert "

" smilies when you make a post like that, thank you"!

after seeing some of his comments in other threads i think he may be for real

**gustavo** · 12/01/2006, 6:02 PM

I'd give it to Dunne he has the potential to be the captain for the next decade

**Colie** · 12/01/2006, 6:05 PM

Given obviously coz he a legend but does Given have what it takes?

It seems to be working for Keano in the Premiership so maybe he's one for the future.

They'll give to Given but should really be Kavo.

**Karlos** · 12/01/2006, 6:18 PM

I think Given for me. No worries about a goalkeeper being Captain.

I think the role of the International Captain on the field is sometimes overstated - it's a position of honour in many aspects and I think Given is deserving of the honour first and foremost but also a player who talks and leads by example.

**klein4** · 12/01/2006, 6:52 PM

Originally Posted by livehead1

after seeing some of his comments in other threads i think he may be for real

At least I can read...

**geysir** · 12/01/2006, 6:55 PM

Originally Posted by Tired&Emotional

Glad to see we're moving on with this thread and looking to the other aspects of the Team. The mgt team is all but decided and it's time to push on .....Given for me - though listening to Kav on "Off the Ball" on Newstalk 106 the other night, think he mightened be a bad option either

Yes there might be doubts about Stan's abilities but there is no doubting our
abilities to have our input

**livehead1** · 12/01/2006, 7:16 PM

Originally Posted by klein4

At least I can read...

lol good comeback m8, i can read im jst in a rush mst of the time!

**klein4** · 12/01/2006, 7:49 PM

I just think all the hyping of young players who havent had a game is silly.
I dunno who the captain will be and like it was said earlier I dont think it is that important in influencing the actual course of games.I would possibly give it to given because he seemed to be the only one to come out of the last campaign with any dignity.