Forde deserves to start ahead of Given, says Quinn

Former Ireland striker Niall Quinn reckons David Forde has earned the right to start in goal against Georgia on Sunday ahead of Shay Given.

The shock return of 38-year-old Given to the squad after two years retired from international football has cast doubt over Forde’s status as Ireland’s first choice netminder.

With the Euro 2016 campaign due to begin on Sunday in Tbilisi, Martin O’Neill has refused to confirm whether a threat hangs over the Millwall man’s place.

Quinn, however, is a firm believer Forde has done enough under the manager’s reign to deserve the spot between the posts on Sunday.

“I’m mad about Shay but it would be a tough one on David Forde if he doesn’t play,” admitted Quinn.

“It’s great to have Shay back, yet let him earn his place now, as opposed to coming back in because of what he did some time ago.

“I’d pick David. I’m not telling Martin what to do, no-one could ever do that, but I just feel David’s built himself up fantastically well in an Irish shirt. He’s come from nowhere and he’s been dependable. Shay hasn’t been there. If it was me, I’d give David the nod and see how they battle each other then.”

Quinn added: “Martin would have had to make this decision many times at different levels over the years. When he came up to Sunderland, Keiren Westwood was in goal for us and he looked at it and put in Simon Mignolet. That decision proved the correct one and Martin proved us all wrong because we didn’t think Simon was ready.

“He had a great year and suddenly he was at Liverpool trying to win the Premier League. I expect Martin to make the right decision this time too.”

Decision time is looming too for one dyed-in-the-wool Englishman, 27-year-old Mark Noble. The notion of using Ireland as a back-up plan doesn’t sit easily with Quinn.

“I would much prefer if Mark Noble or his agent had got in touch with Martin and pulled on his shirttails for a little while and said, ‘look, I’m interested here, I think I have an international career ahead of me. It hasn’t happened for England’,” explained the 47-year-old.

“It was maybe a throwaway comment but it is the idea that ‘I’m still not sure but it doesn’t look like I will play for England and if not then I will go and play for them.

“That riles me. I go back to when Davy Langan was running our Irish dressing room and any of the English-born players who came in, they had to get by Davy to earn their place in the dressing room.

“How long will his legs last at his age to do a club job as well as an international one? I’d weigh things like that up.

“He might surprise me but if what he does impacts the progress of Wes Hoolahan, Whelan, Gibson, I’d be happy with the guys who are thrilled to be here. With Darron coming back from injury, he won’t want to be pushed aside by a half-heartedapproach from someone.”

Niall Quinn will be commentating on the Euro 2016 Ireland qualifier against Georgia live on Sky Sports 5 from 4pm on Sunday.