Keane: Given is better than Cech

Petr Cech’s face beams out from billboards across Prague and it takes a brave man here to suggest that the Czech Republic and Chelsea number one has any serious rivals for the title of the best goalkeeper in the world.

But Ireland captain Robbie Keane has added spice to the build-up to his side’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier tomorrow night by insisting Shay Given’s abilities surpass anything even Cech can muster.

Given had kept three consecutive clean sheets for Ireland prior to Saturday’s fine performance in the 2-2 draw in Slovakia and will need to be on top form again if his side are to achieve the win they badly need.

Keane said: “Cech is one of the best goalkeepers in the world but we are quite lucky in that we have the best in Shay Given.

“Cech is different class but Shay Given is for me one of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen.”

Given’s night will be made easier by the absence of Czech talisman Jan Koller, who is suspended after picking up a booking in the win over San Marino. Milan Baros is expected to shrug off a back injury in time to play.

Having conceded an injury-time equaliser against the Slovaks in Bratislava, the Irish stand three points behind the second-placed Czechs and know they need a win to maintain realistic qualification hopes.

But Steve Staunton’s men go into the game with the incentive of knowing that a famous victory in Prague would be enough to take them above their rivals on the head-to-head rule.

Staunton confirmed he expected to make one change to the side which had to settle for a draw in heavy conditions on Saturday, with Andy Reid coming in as a straight swap for Stephen Ireland, missing due a family bereavement.

The Charlton man produced a superb performance in last month’s friendly win in Denmark but was left on the bench in Bratislava largely due to the pitch, which he will find much more to his liking in Prague.

Staunton said: “The conditions on Saturday definitely wouldn’t have suited him but he is such a talent he can conjure a goal up out of anything or play that killer pass.

“I think this pitch will suit our players as much as theirs. They are a very good footballing side but I like to think our lads are growing and they are used to playing on good pitches.”

That Marek Cech goal in Slovakia may have knocked some of the momentum out of the Irish camp this week but Staunton remains convinced his side produced the kind of performance which needs only minimal improvement.

Their ability to avoid defeat in the Tehelne Pole Stadium at least knocked the Slovaks out of the running, and left the Republic and the Czechs locked in a straight fight to secure the second qualifying place behind Germany.

Staunton, who confirmed Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle had recovered from knocks sustained against the Slovaks, added: “We must not forget that we weren’t that bad the other night.

“We know our passing can be a lot better and our control much better, but it was only a few single errors in the passing department that put us in an awful lot of trouble at the end of the first half.

“We know the Czechs are a good side. They’ve got a very strong squad and we’re not under-estimating them at all. We know we’re going to have to be at our very best again to get a draw or a win tomorrow night.”