Former Premier League stars Shay Given, Alex Bruce and Wes Brown are training with Vanarama National League side Macclesfield.

Should next Saturday’s Champions League final resolve itself into a head to head contest between Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon, the outcome might not only decide the game but also the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Stoke City 1 Liverpool 2: Liverpool’s Champions League challenge is taking their players to their absolute limits — but manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he played his ‘get out of jail’ card at Stoke City.

Chelsea 4 Stoke City 2

Man City have earned more penalties in three games than some teams manage in a season.

The sad news came through yesterday that soccer legend Shay Given had decided to retire from the Republic of Ireland after a 20-year international career.

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill hailed Shay Given as one of Ireland’s greatest goalkeepers after the Stoke City star last night confirmed his exit from the international arena.

Darren Randolph did everything he possibly could to extend the Republic of Ireland’s stay in France but, when their exit visa was stamped, the finality of the moment struck home for the West Ham United goalkeeper.

Armed guards with stern faces have been an unpalatable but staple part of the diet at major tournaments ever since the Munich massacre at the 1972 Olympic Games and talk of security and terrorism is especially rife at these European Championships.

Manchester City warmed up for Real Madrid by moving back into third place in the Premier League with a 4-0 victory over Stoke.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez hasn’t ruled out a return to action at the weekend for Irish international Seamus Coleman.

Shay Given’s hopes of proving his fitness to Martin O’Neill ahead of Euro 2016 are in the balance after Stoke boss Mark Hughes again came out in support of goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard.

England goalkeeper Jack Butland looks set to miss the European finals after fracturing his ankle in Saturday’s win. Butland is likely to be ruled out with the tournament 10 weeks away.

Shane Long is on course to be fit for this month’s friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia.

Casting an eye over those battling to be on the plane for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 adventure...

Edin Dzeko tried to be diplomatic, even if he didn’t try too hard to think. After the Bosnia and Herzegovina striker spent a few minutes talking about how Ireland’s many absent players wouldn’t negatively affect Martin O’Neill’s side, the 29-year-old was asked which opposition players had impressed him.

Who played best for Ireland? Miguel Delaney rates the team

A question for the world champions: Can we play you every week?

Martin O’Neill heaped all the praise on his players following the Republic of Ireland’s magnificent victory over Germany.

Whilst his lack of game-time at Stoke City carries its own concerns into his Ireland situation, Shay Given has cracked the formula for lifting his legacy into the realm of the great Dino Zoff.

Stoke City are confident Shay Given has plenty left to offer at Premier League level after the veteran Ireland keeper secured a two-year deal at the club yesterday.

Shay Given is close to sealing a move to Stoke City as Aston Villa agree to release him from his contract a year early.

Middlesbrough are hoping to complete the permanent signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given today.

Damien Duff is expected to end speculation on his future by finalising a move to Shamrock Rovers this week.

The carousel has a few more circuits to run before the music stops, but Ireland’s Euro 2016 ride is all but over with four qualifying games still to go after this 1-1 draw with Scotland that leaves them needing an incredulous string of results to make it to France.