Given gears up for Georgian challenge

SHAY Given made his debut for Manchester City on Saturday, keeping a clean sheet in 1-0 win over Middlesbrough - and the Lifford man is aiming for a week to remember as he gears up for the Republic of Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Wednesday night.

Given will line up at Croke Park this week after making a fine first impression on his new band of fans at Eastlands at the weekend. Craig Bellamy netted the only goal of the game, but Given was Man-of-the-Match after denying Boro's Afonso Alves on four separate occasions, one of which was from point blank range.

The 32-year old made the £8m move from Newcastle United last weekend, ending an eleven-and-a-half year association with the Magpies.

Speaking after his first outing for the Blues at the weekend, he said: "It's all changed and it's been a bit hectic in the last week or ten days. It's a great opportunity for me to go to Man City and hopefully to pick up some silverware and try to win trophies.

"I just felt that sometimes you can be at a club too long. I was there for eleven and a half years and there were some tough times. After Kevin Keegan left, there was a lot of speculation that the club was for sale and then not for sale, that managers went part time and it wasn't an ideal situation.

"When I knew that Man City were interested, I felt it was a great opportunity because they are a club with huge ambitions of challenging the top teams for honours and with the owners and backing them have, they have a realistic chance."

His unrest with the lack of progression at St James Park erupted in a 5-1 home defeat to Liverpool, a game in which Given was named Man of the Match. "That was a very frustrating game for me, for the team and for the supporters," he commented. "But it had probably been building up for a few months. It is hard when something comes to and end and I have a lot of great memories from my time at Newcastle - the fans were unbelievable for me there. It was a tough decision to make, but I've done it now and I hope to do well for City. I try not to look back too much."

Given joins Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart as the custodians in a City squad that includes the much-maligned Stephen Ireland and Richard Dunne. Said Given: "It was nice to start with a victory. It will take a while to get to know them. Richard Dunne is suspended at the minute and it will be nice to get him back playing. I've played a lot behind him for Ireland and he's a great player.

"There is a good squad at City and it is exciting times for me, the club and for the supporters. "I feel a bit like a kid at training again, diving about with a new manager and coaches to impress." Given will win his 92nd Republic of Ireland cap on Wednesday night at Croke Park, in the latest contest in what has been a largely positive start to the reign of Giovanni Trapattoni.

"It's a big game this week and one that if we win would put us joint top of the table with Italy," Given observed, "and that is a massive carrot for us to win the game.

"It won't be an easy game, Georgia have some very good players. We are at home though and if we get supporters behind us and we're all playing to the top of the game, hopefully we'll get a positive result and ideally the three points."

Although his team selections, not least the Stephen Ireland and Andy Reid debacles that have dominated his tenure thus far, have been the subject of criticism in many quarters, Given has been impressed with the charismatic Italian.

He said: "He has a game plan and is very thorough in everything he does. He has been successful at club and international level. He has a successful plan and the more we work and train under him, the more we will understand.

"We have worked well so far. When he walks into a room, there is an aura about him. He is a renowned football coach and I think he is fantastic in what he does."