Given leaps to defence of the accused

Euro Championship 2016 qualifier

Shay Given has stoutly defended Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy against what he calls “over the top” and “unfair” comments by Gordon McQueen.

In the build-up to Friday’s big European Championship qualifier, the former Scotland and Manchester United player added to the growing tension by saying that the two Glasgow-born players deserved a “horrible reception” at Celtic Park for their decision to play for Ireland.

“I’ve got no time for these players,” McQueen declared. “You’re born in Glasgow but then you go and play for somebody else? What’s that all about? I’m not having that at all. I hope it’s hard for them coming back here with Ireland.”

Speaking after Irish training in Malahide yesterday, veteran goalkeeper Given offered a measured but unequivocal response to McQueen’s inflammatory remarks.

“The comments were a bit unfair as some of the Scottish players were born in England but have Scottish parents,” Given pointed out. “It can’t be one rule for Ireland and one rule for others. They are in the exact same situation, so some of the comments were a bit personal and a wee bit over the top. I just think there is no need to go to that sort of level. It was unfair on James and Aiden to single them out.”

Earlier this week, Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, when asked if the home supporters should lay off Ireland’s Glasgow-born players on Friday, replied: “No, they can do what they want. Are you going to ask them to pay 60 quid and then tell them they can’t say something? As long as you don’t have that nastiness about it, then that is fine.”

When the gist of Strachan’s comments was relayed to Given yesterday, he responded: “We can’t tell fans what to do or what not to do. I mean, we’re going into the Scotland environment and the Scotland fans can do what they want. Aiden and James are experienced players and they are fantastic players. Probably the reason we are talking about them is because they are such great players. I’m sure they will show everyone in Glasgow on Friday how good they are, if James is fit that is. Would booing ever put players off? Not really, I think maybe the opposite sometimes. It can make them play better.”

By contrast, Martin O’Neill declined to rise to McQueen’s bait, claiming not to have seen his comments while, it appeared, stopping just short of rolling his eyes. And, in response to Strachan’s remark about booing being acceptable so long as it wasn’t nasty, the manager wryly observed: “Well, I’ve been in the game a long time but I’ve never heard of gentle booing in my life.”

Meanwhile, Given reckons that while Scotland have de facto home advantage on Friday, the choice of Celtic Park for the game is a bonus for the visitors.

“I suppose it is a special feeling for all Irish players to play at Parkhead or Paradise or call it what you want. It is a special place for us. I would rather play there than Hampden or Ibrox, definitely. But it’s still their home game. They will have 90% of the fans and it will still be a pretty spicy atmosphere for us. But it’s what happens on the pitch that matters.

“It probably will have a little bit of a feel of an Old Firm game. I’m sure the Scottish fans will be really excited and the 3,201 fans who got a ticket over here will be really excited. It will be such a special atmosphere but, as a professional footballer, you work out here in the rain and train in the gym and you do all the work to play in big occasions like that.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s going to be tension or not, or hatred or whatever you want to call it. We know that it can’t affect what’s going to happen on the pitch and we’ve got to focus on that. We’ve got to blank that other stuff out whenever we play away in big games. It’s what we do on the pitch that matters.”

The 38-year-old Aston Villa cover goalkeeper confirmed that he hopes to get a loan move, perhaps to a Championship club, next month but, for now, his priority is to be ready for action on Friday in the case of emergency.

“(Keiren) Westwood’s pulled out with injury now so, if something happens, I’ve just got to work hard this week. (David) Forde’s number one but if something happens hopefully I’ll be able to step in.”