We’ll have to keep our discipline, says Given

DESPITE appearances, Shay Given, who will captain his country this evening in the absence of Robbie Keane, didn’t exactly have a quiet night in Andorra on Friday.

Admittedly, he didn’t have much to do in the way of actually making saves but, in the tiny Estadi Comunal stadium, his shouted instructions reverberated around the ground.

“I couldn’t hear anyone else in the stadium,” he quipped, “I had to get the atmosphere going it was that quiet!”

He hopes and expects it will be very different in the Aviva this evening.

“It’s very important if we can get the crowd right up for it,” he said. “If they have a few pints before the game, they’ll get the place rocking and the atmosphere right. I really believe that if they get behind us it will spur us on. I don’t think Armenia will crack but hopefully if the crowd get behind us it will help us.”

And what about the players’ approach — will they be nervous or pumped up by the magnitude of the occasion? “I think it’s about getting a balance because I don’t want us to be going as nervous wrecks into the game,” said the Donegal man.

“We all know how important the game is, the media, the fans and players, but we’ve got to do the basics right and not get carried away.

“It’s important when we don’t have ball to keep our discipline and our shape right. They have quality players and I don’t think it should get to the stage that we just give them the ball back and let them attack us. The start is very important as well, with the supporters and stuff, to start the game in their half and put them under pressure so that the momentum will be with us.

“The Armenians may come with no fear but the experience we have should help us. Obviously we’ll miss Robbie but it’s a chance for someone else. We’ve got to use our experience. Richard (Dunne) showed how good a player he was against Russia and he’s been doing it for years, so he has huge experience.

“Luckily he’s not out through suspension for this one because he’s one of the best defenders around. We have a relationship at club level now as well. And it’s important to have that communication with your centre-halves.”

Talk of Ireland ‘s most experienced players leads naturally to a question about the ‘keeper’s own future in the shirt, given that he has previously hinted he would step down sooner rather than later from international football.

And, indeed, when it’s put to him that, in a worst case scenario, tonight could actually turn out to be his last game for Ireland, the veteran doesn’t exactly dismiss that grim prospect.

“Well you never know, I’m looking forward to the game, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “It’s a big game for everyone. We’ll see how it goes in the future, that’s all I can say to be honest.”