Given hopes for rare play-off joy

With thanks to the Donegal News

Next month, Shay Given will add a new destination to a list of cities of which he has mixed memories.

Confirmation yesterday that the Republic of Ireland will face Estonia in next month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers means that the Donegal man will pen Talinn into his diary.

Given winces at the memory of play-offs in Liverpool, Brussels, Bursa and Paris. Even the sole Irish play-off success brings back haunting memories.

In Tehran ten years ago when a fine performance helped Ireland reach the Promised Land of the 2002 World Cup at the expense of Iran, Given had to endure bombardment by an array of missiles - that include a live grenade at one stage! - from the 100,000 passionate home fans.

The Liffordman’s career was in its infancy when Ireland fell to Holland 2-0 at Anfield in a Euro ‘96 play-off and the young Given watched from the stands as Patrick Kluivert dashed those dreams.

In 1997, Given played as a Luc Nilis double shot Belgium to a 2-1 win after they’d earned a 1-1 draw at Lansdowne. He missed the play-off defeat to Turkey for Euro ‘00 through injury, but finally tasted glory on what was easily the most difficult night of all the 118 caps he’s earned in Tehran, while two years ago there was the still chilling sight of Thierry Henry handling the ball past the apoplectic Given.

As he ends his eighth qualifying campaign in an Irish shirt, the veteran goalkeeper is preparing to head down a familiar route after Ireland got over Armenia on Tuesday night in Dublin and look forward to next month’s duel with Estonia - against whom Given kept two clean sheets on the road to that meeting with Iran in 2001.
 

“It was a tense night to be fair, but we’ve got to be happy with the performance and you have to enjoy nights like this,” said Given after Tuesday’s win over Armenia.
 

“We’re really happy and the fans should enjoy it as well. Getting 21 points and coming second in the group is a great achievement and now we’ll look forward to the draw on Thursday and see where that takes us.

“Next month will be a huge occasion for everyone.”
 

Two years ago when Ireland were paired with France for that ill-fated play-off, Given was one of the vocal players who hit out at UEFA’s seeding system - and on Tuesday night, despite Ireland claiming a top-seeding berth he again outlined his feelings against the system.

He said: “I don’t think anyone should be seeded, but if you get some kind of advantage from that you’ll take it. “I believe that the eight teams who have done well enough to get second place in the groups should be piled into a pot and whoever you get is whoever you get. People in higher places than me make these decisions so we get on with it.

“No matter who it is the aim is the same - to get through.”

It took a couple of years, but the Aviva Stadium finally awoke on Tuesday - and Given believes that the support of the Green Army will be crucial to Ireland’s hopes of booking a place in the Poland/Ukraine finals. He said: “The fans were fantastic tonight and we’ll really need them again for the play-offs. That tonight was by far the best atmosphere since we’ve come to the Aviva. As I said in my pre-match conference, we really needed the fans - and they really stood up for us.”
 

Before Friday night, Ireland had kept eight clean sheets on the spin - a remarkable record - and Given expressed his disappointment at letting in Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s strike just after the hour mark.

“Personally I’d be disappointed with the goal,” the 35-year old reflected. “I should have done better. I saw it late and consequently I was diving backwards and could only help the shot into the side-netting as a result.

“These things happen and it hasn’t cost us, so I’m not going to lose sleep over it. It was a bit nervous near the end for the fans I’m sure but we were comfortable enough and I don’t think they cut us open too many times.”
 

Despite replays that showed that the dismissal of Armenian ‘keeper Roman Berezovsky was a harsh call, Given appeared to have little sympathy for his Armenian counterpart.
 

“When it happened I thought straight away that it was a handball and you have to give the ref’ credit too because he only has one chance to see it and doesn’t have the benefit of looking at replays. Some people say that it hit his chest and then his arm - if that’s the case then it’s still a handball,” said Given.

Saturday afternoon, Given is back on club duty with Aston Villa as they take on Manchester City at Eastlands. Last season, Given endured a frustrating season at City, but he was philosophical this week as he looked back on his time with the blues.

And he was full of praise for City stopper Joe Hart, who kept him out of the team last season. He said: “Joe is playing really well for England and Man City. He’s got a big future ahead of him. We worked well together last year. It’s a tough one because only one of us could have played. When I first went to the club Joe was on the bench for a bit, so we knew that we didn’t pick the team. The manager picked the team and we had a very good relationship together.”

Roberto Mancini’s side have started this season as one of the front-runners and Given knows the steep test that awaits Villa tomorrow - but he’s aiming to gun down his former employers this
weekend. Still, he believes City to be one of the serious title contenders.

He said: “It’ll be a tough game for us. They’re a team that is really on form obviously. I’m looking forward to seeing all the people I made friends with when I was there and looking forward to going back.
 

“I’ll be going to keep a clean sheet, but I know how tough it’ll be. Man City have been flying at home and away.”

Despite spending last season kicking his heels on the Eastlands bench, Given bears no grudges toward City. This summer, Alex McLeish ended his pain when he snapped him up on a five-year deal, taking him to Villa Park.

Now, he says, isn’t the time about reflections on the past. He said: “ Different managers have different opinions and you have to take it on the chin and move on. Football is always about looking forward, not back and I have no qualms with anyone at Man City.”
 

Looking forward, not back: Just like his play-off thoughts will be over the next few weeks as he prepares to face Estonia.