Given aims for Swiss bliss

Shay Given is confident “the real Ireland” will emerge on Wednesday as manager Brian Kerr’s side look to make amends for their double European Swiss miss.

The Republic opened their World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday with a straightforward 3-0 group four victory over a poor Cyprus team at Lansdowne Road.

But the stakes are now raised as Ireland take on Switzerland at Basle’s St Jakob Park, the scene of their European Championship heartbreak 11 months ago when they missed out on a place in the finals in Portugal following a 2-0 defeat.

Revenge is in the air, with Kerr and his squad – which now includes midfield star Roy Keane who has been given the all-clear despite recently fracturing two ribs – heading to Switzerland with spirits high.

“The changing room’s in good spirits – three goals, clean sheet and three points – we couldn’t ask for any more before the game, so it’s a very positive start,” said Newcastle goalkeeper Given after the Cyprus romp.

“I barely had a save to make, and I hope they’re all like that, but we’re at home and we’re expected to beat teams like Cyprus.

“Brian said he wanted four points from these opening two games and now we’ve got three, and there's no reason why we can’t get three against Switzerland.

“It will be a tough place to go, as we all remember from before, but we’re high on confidence, which is the best way to be.

“We also have to put a few things right. We didn’t perform the last time we were there. We know we can play better than we did and give it a better shout because it wasn’t the real Ireland that night.”

In particular, Kerr has two players on a high in the wake of their exploits against the Cypriots, with Andy Reid the toast of Ireland following his man-of-the-match performance, while Robbie Keane joined Niall Quinn as his country’s leading scorer with 21 goals.

“You’d pay the admission fee alone to see a goal like Andy’s because it was special, but his all-round play was superb,” enthused Given.

“But it wasn’t just Andy because there were a lot of players who played really well. Graham Kavanagh and Kevin Kilbane for instance – who stood up and were counted because we had a few players missing and it didn’t look as if we missed them.

“As for Robbie, he just kept his cool with the penalty. Now he’s equalled the record, I am sure he will go on and pass it. With youth on his side, he could put it out of sight.

“But it was good for Robbie just to get a game because he’s not played an awful lot of football recently due to his injury.”

Given, meanwhile, is anxiously awaiting the appointment of a new Newcastle boss after last week’s sacking of Bobby Robson following a dismal start to the season for the Magpies.

With a St James’ Park clash against Blackburn fast approaching this weekend, Given is hoping an announcement is made sooner rather than later.

“There’s a lot that’s happened at Newcastle recently,” said Given.

“It was obviously disappointing losing the manager, but now we have to hope we get someone in quickly before this weekend’s game.

“But because I’ve been away for a few days, I don’t know what’s really happening or who is going to be the manager. I will have to wait and see like everyone else.”

While Kerr is naturally delighted with Roy Keane’s return, his enthusiasm has been tempered by Manchester United left-back John O’Shea being ruled out of the game with Switzerland.

Kerr, who is likely to turn to Hearts’ Alan Maybury, revealed: “John had a scan today which revealed a small tear to his lower thigh muscle, just above the knee.

“As there is too little time for him to recover before Wednesday’s game, he will not travel to Switzerland with the squad.”

Kerr also has major concerns surrounding Damien Duff, who is to miss training over the next two days after receiving a kick on a calf muscle, while Kavanagh is also receiving treatment for a twisted ankle.

Newcastle right-back Stephen Carr is expected to be fit after struggling with a slight stomach problem against Cyprus.