Soccer: Givens ready to turn out more stars

Ireland's Under-21 manager Don Givens has one aim in mind as his players take on Denmark in Cork tonight.

Givens’ chief concern is the grooming of his players in readiness for the big leap towards full international level, with the strength and style of the opposition of little relevance to his approach.

‘‘I think Denmark will be stronger than Cyprus but I’m never bothered about the opposition,’’ he said.

‘‘That’s not being disrespectful to them. I’m only bothered about what our boys do and the way they progress.

‘‘If something happens on the pitch, it’s part of their development to cope with that.

‘‘So we’ll play the way we want and it’s up to Denmark to have a go at that, and if the Danes have something special we’ll have to sort it out on the night.’’

Givens believes Ireland now have the right framework for bringing under-age players through to the senior side, with Colin Healy the latest graduate to succeed at full international level.

‘‘I’m pleased with the players I’ve had,’’ he said.

‘‘Colin is the latest of them that have made the leap to the senior squad.

‘‘I’m fed players from the youth sides managed by Brian Kerr and I feed them to Mick (McCarthy).

‘‘The set-up is right, it’s just up to the boys now.

‘‘But this is the hardest step to take. When you go from the under-18s to the under-19s it’s almost an automatic progression through the grades.

‘‘But the longest and hardest jump to take is from under-21 to the full side.

‘‘When they go to Mick’s squad they should be prepared and have good habits on and off the pitch because if they don’t, then all they are doing is letting their country down.’’