Christmas has come early for ‘excited’ Given

Former Republic of Ireland number one Shay Given feels Christmas has come early after being rolled out of cold storage to make the 600th club appearance of his career today.

Given, 37, joined Middlesbrough on-loan from Aston Villa on Thursday and will make his debut for them against Bolton. He had been frozen out by Villa boss Paul Lambert and had not made a competitive appearance since Villa’s FA Cup defeat at Millwall in January.

Given jumped at the chance to sign for new Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka and said: “I can’t wait to be honest, I want to get the talking out of the way. I’ve played football all my life and recently it has been very frustrating. It’s like Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day to get back in the thick of the action.”

“It’s been a long time for me, but I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to the game. I’m grateful to Randy Lerner (Villa’s owner) and Paul Lambert for giving me a chance. You have to be ready to play at any time and I’ve kept my head right as well — that hasn’t always been easy — with the help of Villa’s goalkeeping coach and thanks to him. They have all wished me well and think this is a great opportunity. As for it being my 600th appearance, there’s nothing special about that if we don’t win or I don’t play well. It’s about doing a job for Middlesbrough.

“I don’t know the names of all the players yet, but they’ll know me as I’ll be screaming behind them, hopefully putting all my experience to good use! I just want to repay the faith people at this club have put in me. A goalkeeper’s position is pretty simple, just keep the ball out of the net. My body feels fresh and I’m ready to go.”

Given will become only the sixth player in 40 years to play for North East rivals, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Sunderland when he makes his debut this afternoon.

He added: “I didn’t realise that, that’s a pretty select few.

“Not many players will do that. Everyone knows that the North East is a hotbed of football. I know that having played for so long up here.

“But that was in the past and I want the fans at this football club to judge me on what I do for their club, not what I’ve done in the past.

“I want to do well for the fans, that’s the bottom line. It’s not about looking back, it’s about looking forward and Bolton will be tough opposition.

“It’s the new manager’s first game in charge at home and we want to get off to a good start and please God we do.

“Everyone’s excited about the new manager, he’s been at top clubs in Europe. They will give him a good welcome and I’m just a sideshow.”