Given still not a fan of seeding for play-offs

SHAY GIVEN has criticised UEFA’s seeding system for the play-offs despite the fact that the Republic of Ireland have been confirmed as one of the top four sides for today’s eight-team draw.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper was scathing in his assessment of FIFA two years ago when the global governing body announced the use of rankings just a week before the World Cup winner-take-all two-legged ties.

The subsequent draw in Zurich condemned the Irish to a daunting pairing with France as well as a second leg meeting in Paris and Given was incredulous that the powers-that-be could shift the goalposts at such a late stage.