RYAN GIGGS has committed himself to Manchester United for an incredible 18th season — and revealed there is no end in sight for his illustrious Old Trafford career.

In the middle of international week the Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey reflects on the state of the nation after the draw with Germany and ahead of the rematch with Cyprus and also takes a look at the resumption of the Premier League campaign. You’re all exercised by the future of the Irish game and the forthcoming Drogs v Cork game but there are views, also, on English football (and rugby!) supporters; Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry; Avram Grant’s ability to count up to ten; the Merseyside derby and what it might mean for Benitez; whether United might be persuaded to spend big on Drogba and a rallying call for Martin Jol.

A NEW international challenge for eircom League of Ireland football was unveiled yesterday with the announcement of an U-23 International Challenge Trophy.

Scott Brown and Alan Hutton have both been ruled out of Scotland’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia on Wednesday.

SOL CAMPBELL will return from international exile at Wembley today with England coach Steve McClaren confident the veteran defender’s body can take the strain of two punishing Euro 2008 qualifiers in four days.

It's Euro 2008 International Week and the Irish Examiner's football correspondent Liam Mackey is doing his Man in a Suitcase impersonation around Eastern Europe.

THE Glazer family have strongly denied that Manchester United’s debts are spiralling out of control.

SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn is confident Roy Keane’s £35m summer shopping spree will give the club value for money for years to come.

STEVE FINNAN was last night officially ruled out of Ireland’s crunch European championship qualifier against Slovakia on Saturday.

REPUBLIC of Ireland U-21 manager Don Givens has told his players they could be just one game away from a senior call-up if they put on a show against Portugal in their opening European Championship qualifier at Turner’s Cross tomorrow night (ko 7.30pm).

DAVID BECKHAM faces a near-impossible task to turn football into one of the USA’s major sports, according to Alex Ferguson.

RYAN GIGGS will not be satisfied until he has 11 Premier League winner’s medals to match his Manchester United shirt number.

ENGLAND manager Steve McClaren will leave it as late as possible before deciding whether to pick Steven Gerrard for Saturday’s vital Euro 2008 clash with Israel at Wembley.

TRANSFER spending by English clubs has exceeded €741m over the summer, around two thirds higher than the previous record of €445m spent in summer 2006, according to analysis by the business advisory firm, Deloitte.

CELEBRITY accountant Ossie Kilkenny has sold his British business to the London-listed Formation Group in a deal worth around €10 million.

MANCHESTER UNITED rookie Danny Simpson admits he is living a dream just now.

CHELSEA have been fined £30,000, severely censured and warned as to their future conduct for failing to control their players during the Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United.

STAND-IN skipper Ryan Giggs is confident Manchester United can cope with a growing injury list.

IPSWICH maintain there has been “no approach” from David Beckham’s camp for the ex-England captain to train with them during Los Angeles Galaxy’s close season.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own.