Given tipped to captain Ireland

Shay Given is being proposed as the next captain of the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland’s new goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly believes Newcastle number one Given is the perfect candidate to take over from the now retired Kenny Cunningham.

Manager Steve Staunton concedes he has not had time to sit down and address the matter as yet, given the manner of his whirlwind arrival into the hotseat.

However, Given would appear to be a logical choice in light of his age, experience and standing in the dressing room.

Kelly may perhaps be speaking from a position of bias as he roomed with Given for six years prior to hanging up his international gloves.

But his comments are also borne out of experience as he was captain at Sheffield United during his time with the Bramall Lane club.

“The decision rests with Stan, and the general consensus would be an outfield player as captain, but Shay is a strong character and you need that,” said Kelly, who has been involved in commercial property of late.

“If you’ve got somebody who is respected on and off the pitch, and is one of your main performers, then why not.

“Shay is also never too far away from the play, and as a goalkeeper you can see the whole picture, in particular defensively. If you’ve a solid defensive unit then you’ve a chance of winning the game, that’s how I view it.”

Kelly certainly holds Given in high esteem, and has been unsurprised at the progress made by the 29-year-old since he was last involved in the Ireland set-up.

“He is a great lad, and the way he has gone on to become a world-class ’keeper over the last few years has been absolutely amazing,” added Kelly.

“He is at the peak of his form and among the top three in the world, if not at the top, in my opinion. When I look at the Premier League I would say he is the best there. I wouldn’t swap him for anybody in Europe, or the world.

“I’ve always rated him very highly, and he has taken himself to a level where he is holding teams together – he is holding Newcastle together.

“In the last two or three years with Ireland he has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and pulled us out of the fire.”

Kelly has described his appointment as “absolutely amazing”, with the call from Staunton “out of the blue” as he has been away from the day-to-day side of football since retiring 18 months ago.

Kelly, who is currently taking his goalkeeping coaching badges, is confident a team that also includes former England manager Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin MacDonald as head coach will work.

In particular, Kelly was struck by Robson’s zest which he feels can only work to Ireland’s advantage.

“Coming up here in the car with him was absolutely fantastic,” said Kelly. “There is an aura about the man. He is remarkable with what he has done. You find yourself staring at him and letting it all come over you, it’s brilliant.

“He has this enthusiasm. Here’s me walking in as stiff as a board, and then you see Bobby bouncing in and you think ‘he will do for me’.

“That can only rub off on everybody, and not just us, but the players and fans. It’s about being up for it.”