I could have played for the North, says record-breaker Given

SHAY GIVEN has revealed that the could have played for Northern Ireland – not that the IFA ever came looking for him or, for that matter, would have received a positive response if they had.

Given says he has no problem with players born in the North declaring for the Republic, something which is again a hot topic on both sides of the border with the recent defection of Everton’s Shane Duffy.

“I could have played for Northern Ireland,” said Given in the aftermath of earning a record-breaking 103rd cap for his country, against Brazil.