SHAY GIVEN GAVE a wide-ranging interview with Marty Morrissey on RTÉ Radio One this morning.
In it, the veteran goalkeeper, who recently announced his international retirement after earning 134 caps, spoke about choosing a move to Celtic over Manchester United as a teenager, his 20-year Ireland career and being a proud Donegal man.
Given also revealed the role former team-mate and current assistant manager Roy Keane had in bringing him back to the Ireland set-up after his first retirement in 2012, and mentioned that he had sent him a “touching” message when the news broke last week.
“Roy is an interesting character,” said Given. “He was the reason I got back involved (with Ireland). I retired after the Euros in 2012.
“Roy was assistant manager at Aston Villa and he could see everyday in training that I still had something to offer.
“He had a big influence on me coming back and I am thankful for that — getting into Martin O’Neill’s ear and bringing me back.
I spoke to him last week over texts when I announced my retirement and he sent me back a really touching message with very kind words.
“People always talk about his attitude and him being unapproachable but I think inside the camp with the lads over the last few years he has been brilliant.
“The players have huge respect for him, and me included.”
Listen to the full interview on The Ryan Tubridy Show below:
RTÉ Radio 1 / SoundCloud
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