Shay Given has warned the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 opponents not to underestimate Giovanni Trapattoni’s men.

It’s getting really close now, the hairs are starting to stand up on the back of my neck

Keeper Shay Given would welcome Paul Lambert's appointment as the new manager of Aston Villa amid speculation that he is in line for the job.

Giovanni Trapattoni played the diplomat as he and his Republic of Ireland players were honoured at a civic reception in Montecatini this evening.

Shay Given may have sat outIreland’s friendly againstBosnia-Herzegovina but he faced a barrage of questions afterwards that was just as incessant as any onslaught likely to come his way in Poznan or Gdansk next month.