Given is prepared for Swiss onslaught

SHAY GIVEN yesterday offered the view that he would not be overly concerned if he conceded a record number of goals in Basle on Saturday, just as long as Ireland scored one more than Switzerland.

The affable man from Donegal paid tribute to Switzerland for their achievement in beating Ireland in Dublin 12 months ago and confessed to having forgotten the type of goals they scored in their 2-1 win.

"I've been conceding that many I've forgotten all about them," he joked while offering his views on the task that lies ahead for Ireland who go into the game knowing they must win in Basle if they are to make even a play-off for next year's European Championship finals in Portugal.

Given's light-hearted approach to meeting the press after Ireland's training session in Malahide yesterday fooled nobody, however.

He proved his attitude to a match that could offer an automatic qualifying spot if the result of the clash between Russia and Georgia in Moscow also went in Ireland's favour was deadly serious.

Ireland set up this climax to the qualifying campaign by drawing 1-1 with Russia in their last match five weeks ago and, said Given: "If we can get the result this week it would be great, it is a massive game.

"I've been thinking about this ever since the Russia game. At the back of my mind I've been thinking about it all the time and it is one of those games you really look forward to and you are really up for it and all of the players will be the same.

"Brian (Kerr) will not have to give much of a team talk before the game to pep the players up. We know what's at stake and it is up to us to go out and do it."

Given will carry a lot of responsibility into the match against Switzerland and he put his role into perspective this way: "They'll probably come out and attack us. Somebody suggested I would be happy if I keep a clean sheet. Well I would be if we scored.

"I would prefer to be 7-6 or 10-9 rather than scoreless, as long as we got the three points, that is what it boils down to. It's not about me or whoever scores, it is all about getting the three points. `

That's the most important thing." Given conceded that Ireland's recent experiences in play-off matches in various championships would inevitably be an advantage to them in Basle.

"It is probably good that so many of us have played in big games like this before and the experience we have will benefit us. Ideally 1-0 or 2-0 would be perfect for us.

"But they will attack us and it is important we realise we don't have to do it immediately, we've got 90 minutes to try and get the result and we cannot go mad from the first whistle."

Given had no hesitation in spelling out the reasons why he believed Switzerland would attempt to take advantage of their one-point lead over Ireland and Russia by going for the win over Ireland that would take them into the finals.

He said: "Some of the teams that are going to be in the play-offs are going to be tough. Just look at England and Turkey, one of them will be in the play-offs and that's going to be tough.

"And that is only one group. Spain should be in the play-offs as well so they'll be some massive teams in there so I do feel they will come out and try and win the game."

Ireland have not succeeded in winning too many competitive matches away from home but the experience they gained in the World Cup finals in the Far East should stand to them and the prospect of playing in the finals was a huge incentive.

Said Given: "It doesn't worry us to have to play away from home no matter what some people might think.

"It cannot worry us on Saturday anyway, that's for certain. We've got to get the three points and if it is going to worry us then there is no point in going out to Switzerland, it's as simple as that.

"We've got a lot of experience in the squad now, we've all grown a little bit older and we're getting a little bit wiser to everything. It is time we kick on now and get the points."