SHAY GIVEN MADE his shock return to the Republic of Ireland squad this morning — more than two years after he announced his international retirement.
The Donegal keeper took a full part in training in Malahide as preparations begin for this week’s games against Oman and Georgia.
Manager Martin O’Neill insisted that he has made no promises to Given, 38, who retired after the disappointing Euro 2012 campaign on 125 senior caps.
With incumbent number one David Forde, Keiren Westwood and Rob Elliot also vying for a starting spot, O’Neill won’t make a decision on his goalkeeper until “maybe about two hours” before kick-off in Tbilisi on Sunday.
He said: “I talked to Shay quite some time ago way back last season when he was on loan at Middlesbrough and he had expressed an interest in returning at that particular time.
“He was playing a few games then. I was new to [the job] myself, just having a look at the situation, and he still has that desire to come and play.
“But no promises have been made whatsoever.”
Given was on loan at Middlesbrough last season but since his return to Aston Villa, he has served as number two to the American Brad Guzan.
O’Neill acknowledged that regular first-team football would be a bonus but said he has no concerns about Given’s age.
“In his own view I think he retired at the time obviously disappointed with the way things had gone in the European Championship. Sometimes you do something and you feel as if maybe you have something left to give.
“In terms of age, I worked with two of the best goalkeepers in the world in Peter Shilton and Pat Jennings and Jennings played beyond 40 years of age. So from that viewpoint I think if you’ve got the willingness and the ability and the flexibility as much as anything else, if you want to continue then, ok.”
O’Neill denied that Given’s return after a lengthy absence might be disruptive, and instead highlighted the experience he will bring to a squad which lost Richard Dunne to retirement over the summer.
“I think if you’ve got enough confidence in your own ability, I think you shouldn’t worry about other people coming in.
“Shay has been around the team for some time and I think he has been excellent around the camp, or so I’ve been told before, and he’ll add that little bit of experience as much as anything else.
“I also think that some of the goalkeepers here, particularly young Elliot, can learn from him.
“It doesn’t impact anything. If you’re good enough and you’re going to step into the side, it’s up to you.
“You’re asking here about competition for places – in the scheme of things over the next couple of years, it would be nice to have competition for places as keenly fought all over the pitch.
“If you feel as if you’re the best, you shouldn’t worry about any competition.”
He added: “David [Forde] has done well for me. Why shouldn’t there be competition for places? I haven’t picked the side yet.
“Players who are in the team and have done well shouldn’t have to worry too much but every single time you play, I think you have to prove yourself every single game.
“It’s only when you’ve gone through three or four years where you’re established and the team is doing very, very well that you can consider yourself absolutely and utterly automatic.”
