No transfer distractions for Given
It's just over two months now since Ireland travelled to Tel Aviv looking for the three points that would finally blow this tightest of World Cup qualifying groups open at the hinges once and for all.
When Abbas Suan's last-minute strike pilfered a share of the points for the hosts it was impossible to escape the feeling that a gaping window of opportunity had slammed shut on Brian Kerr's fingers.
And yet. And yet France's two draws with Switzerland and the Israelis in the meantime has left the entire group effectively 'as you were'. Ireland get a second bite at the cherry tonight and the players know it.
"We're well aware that a win would leave us in control of our own destiny," said Shay Given yesterday. "Brian showed us the table during the week and everyone knows that, what is at stake the next five or six days is massive for the whole of Ireland. They're two huge games but we're only really looking to (tonight) first."
Seeing as he isn't prepared to even contemplate the trip to the North Sea, it's hardly surprising to discover that the Donegal man isn't devoting much time to the stories whirling around of impending transfers to any one of Manchester United, Arsenal or even Barcelona.
"It's purely speculation as far as I am concerned. The most important thing to me is tomorrow night's game. I can't state that clearly enough. I wouldn't even want to talk about what's been said in the papers because this is such an important game. Nothing is going to distract me or any of the other players from that."
Positive vibes, but then that's been the way in Malahide and Portmarnock all week. The run-out against Celtic gave a number of players some much needed game time and, just as importantly, no-one was injured.
Six points against Israel and the Faroes in the next five days would definitely leave Ireland holding the whip hand.
"It's very tight at the minute," agreed Andy O'Brien. "We're waiting for someone to take the group by the scruff of the neck. We have an opportunity in that we have two games at home now. It remains to be seen if we can do that. We're in a positive mood and we're treating this game against Israel as the next step."
Brian Kerr was still talking up the positives of the draw in the Middle East late this week, but Given was the most forthright of the Irish in the wake of that result in Tel Aviv. His view hasn't changed with time either.
"It was disappointing. I felt we had a lot of possession in the game even if we didn't create an awful lot of chances. With so much possession you'd like to create a few more but at 1-0 it's always a knife edge job and credit to Israel they got a goal in the last minute.
"I said at the time that it did feel a bit more like a defeat because it came so late in the game. In our own minds I think we had the game won. Hopefully we can put that right now but it's not a revenge mission."
The quality of Ireland's general play in that first-half has been all but lost in the wake of their inability to press home the advantage in Israel, and the Newcastle keeper expects Ireland to adopt a far more urgent approach for the return fixture in Dublin.
"We'll play at a high tempo but it won't be long-ball stuff," said Given.
"We'll try and pass the ball really well, which we can do. It will suit them more if the game is slow and we're not getting about them. We will try to do things quick and upset them as much as we can.
"The Lansdowne crowd is superb and it's a night-time kick-off too. Lads will have a few scoops in them as well and the atmosphere should be great.
"If we get a 1-0 victory with a goal in the last minute we'll be delighted because the three points is the most important thing. Three massive points are at stake."
Being at home will undoubtedly be of great value to an Irish side that has yet to taste defeat at Lansdowne Road under Brian Kerr. Again yesterday, much was made of the scalps taken there in the last two years, of Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic and, not least, the draw with Brazil in February last year.
"We've got a few good results in friendlies against good sides the last few years but qualifiers are different," cautioned O'Brien. "You can get into a habit of winning games and losing games. At home we haven't lost too many and we're hoping to take that through (tonight)."
With Israel expected to deploy themselves in an ultra-defensive pattern, Ireland's problems at right-back, where Stephen Carr and Steve Finnan are both unavailable, have been discussed yet largely glossed over.
Brian Kerr has been quick to point to the reserve troops he has and O'Brien is none too concerned about the matter either, speaking with the confidence of a defender playing for a country that has conceded only two goals in their last ten matches.
"It's not really a problem. Kenny Cunningham is arguably probably one of the best communicators I've played with as a centre-half. He's an important player and whoever has come into the team because of injury or suspension has done a good job.
"Our record is not just about the back four and the keeper, it's a collective thing. The strikers, wingers and midfield play their part as well and it's a testament to the team spirit and work ethic that we have within the squad. That's the reason for our good defensive record."
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