SHAY GIVEN ADMITS that the decision to retire from international football after Euro 2012 was “eating away” at him.
Given returned to Ireland’s training camp in Malahide this morning for the first time in over two years.
The Donegal stopper immediately refuted reports that he had demanded assurances about his first-team place from manager Martin O’Neill before committing to a return.
He said: “I’m just delighted to be here. The excitement of flying over on the plane last night and to be back in Ireland is something special.
“If I do play, it seems near enough like a second debut to be honest.
I spoke to Martin a couple of times in the last numbers of months. He only just called me on Saturday morning on the way to training. I’m delighted he called me up.
“I probably missed it as much as anything – the honour of playing for Ireland, the buzz that you get, the privilege of playing for your country. You miss that, and you’re a long time retired so you’ve a long time to look back.
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“I don’t want to think in 10 years that I should have given it another go or played another few games or tried to help the country as best I could. I don’t want to have any regrets when I do hang up the gloves. That was sort of eating away at me as well.
“I felt that I could still help the team, help the squad, and of course help Martin and Roy as well.”
Incumbent number one David Forde, Keiren Westwood and Rob Elliot are also part of the 27-man squad for this week’s games against Oman and Georgia.
O’Neill admitted that he is unlikely to bring all four to Tbilisi for the opening Euro 2016 qualifier, but he said he won’t make the decision on his starting keeper until shortly before kick-off on Sunday.
Given is hoping for his "second debut" against Oman. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Given is hopeful that he might get a chance against Oman on Wednesday, and he thanked Villa assistant Roy Keane for opening the door for his return.
“Roy has been great since he came to Villa and he’s been a big help in getting me back in the squad.
“He sees me in training every day with Villa and he’s on the phone to Martin regularly and keeping him updated. I’m sure that was a big, big factor as well.”
Given might yet leave Villa Park before the end of the day if the right move is on offer.
Hopefully my phone rings at some point but I don’t know, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Despite his lack of first-team football and his age — Given turned 38 in April — he’s confident that he can slot straight back in to the Irish XI.
“Obviously age does age you but I’m working hard in the gym, doing yoga, doing all the stuff. When you get older you’ve got to do more things to stay flexible.
“I played last week and felt sharp in the game, played a few games in pre-season as well. I feel sharp, I’d just ideally like to play more games and have more match sharpness.”
He added: “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I was definitely sharp enough to play. I don’t know, [Martin's] not said what his plans are, there’s no guarantee and there’s no demands from me.
“I read somewhere that I’ve demanded to play – that’s all rubbish. I’m here to try to help the group and try to get us qualified.”
Given's Ireland retirement was 'eating away' at him for two years
SHAY GIVEN ADMITS that the decision to retire from international football after Euro 2012 was “eating away” at him.
Given returned to Ireland’s training camp in Malahide this morning for the first time in over two years.
The Donegal stopper immediately refuted reports that he had demanded assurances about his first-team place from manager Martin O’Neill before committing to a return.
He said: “I’m just delighted to be here. The excitement of flying over on the plane last night and to be back in Ireland is something special.
“If I do play, it seems near enough like a second debut to be honest.
“I probably missed it as much as anything – the honour of playing for Ireland, the buzz that you get, the privilege of playing for your country. You miss that, and you’re a long time retired so you’ve a long time to look back.
“I don’t want to think in 10 years that I should have given it another go or played another few games or tried to help the country as best I could. I don’t want to have any regrets when I do hang up the gloves. That was sort of eating away at me as well.
“I felt that I could still help the team, help the squad, and of course help Martin and Roy as well.”
Incumbent number one David Forde, Keiren Westwood and Rob Elliot are also part of the 27-man squad for this week’s games against Oman and Georgia.
O’Neill admitted that he is unlikely to bring all four to Tbilisi for the opening Euro 2016 qualifier, but he said he won’t make the decision on his starting keeper until shortly before kick-off on Sunday.
Given is hopeful that he might get a chance against Oman on Wednesday, and he thanked Villa assistant Roy Keane for opening the door for his return.
“Roy has been great since he came to Villa and he’s been a big help in getting me back in the squad.
“He sees me in training every day with Villa and he’s on the phone to Martin regularly and keeping him updated. I’m sure that was a big, big factor as well.”
Given might yet leave Villa Park before the end of the day if the right move is on offer.
Despite his lack of first-team football and his age — Given turned 38 in April — he’s confident that he can slot straight back in to the Irish XI.
“Obviously age does age you but I’m working hard in the gym, doing yoga, doing all the stuff. When you get older you’ve got to do more things to stay flexible.
“I played last week and felt sharp in the game, played a few games in pre-season as well. I feel sharp, I’d just ideally like to play more games and have more match sharpness.”
He added: “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I was definitely sharp enough to play. I don’t know, [Martin's] not said what his plans are, there’s no guarantee and there’s no demands from me.
“I read somewhere that I’ve demanded to play – that’s all rubbish. I’m here to try to help the group and try to get us qualified.”
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