Two days off his 40th birthday, Shay Given’s first Premier League start in almost a year against Tottenham last night may well have restored his place towards the front of the queue for the three available goalkeeping spots in Ireland’s squad for Euro 2016.
It may not have been the perfect return – there was no clean sheet – but Given has given himself a real chance. A few weeks ago the long-time Ireland number one looked a real long-shot to make the cut. Now, after Rob Elliot’s knee injury and his own return to first-team football, he will be right back in contention.
Darren Randolph would appear to be on course to retain top spot for now; however, a run of games for Given, who last night was named ahead of Jakob Haugaard after the young Dane conceded four at Anfield last week, could give Martin O'Neill a dilemma on that front too.
Final seat
As things stand, the manager is likely to choose between David Forde and Sheffield Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood for the final seat on the plane.
Westwood’s form for Wednesday, who are in action this evening against MK Dons, has clearly given O’Neill something to consider.
The manager, though, has tended to prefer Forde in recent times and suggested recently that Westwood’s habit of withdrawing from international squads counted against him.
“Keiren has pulled out of a number of squads, not just in my time but I think he did it before,” said O’Neill.
“Therefore, naturally, it’s a concern but I think it’s something . . . you need a bit of reliability. I think that is very, very important – important for anyone you are studying or wanting to bring into the squad. He’s a talented boy, definitely, but of course I would have a bit of concern.”
Former international, Nicky Colgan, now the goalkeeping coach at Huddersfield Town, acknowledges that there is a tough call to be made, with only Randolph, as long as he stays fit, certain of his place on the plane to France.
Experience
In the wake of Elliot’s injury, the 42-year-old says it is a case of “two from three” after that, although he suggests that Given’s huge experience adds considerable weight to his case, not just for him to travel but, should the next few weeks go the Donegal man’s way, to play as well.
