Givens keeps quiet on managerial appointment

Republic of Ireland caretaker boss Don Givens relinquished his role after his side’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Croke Park but refused to be drawn on the identity of his permanent successor.

Robinho’s 65th-minute goal in a lacklustre affair in front of a sell-out crowd ended the Republic’s hopes of a famous win and turned attention swiftly back to the ongoing search for Steve Staunton’s replacement.

But Givens – who also heads the panel charged with finding the new boss – kept his word and reiterated that he will have nothing more to say on the matter until next Sunday at the earliest.

Givens said: “We lost the match tonight. I spoke about the process on Sunday and I won’t be speaking about it again until the end of the week.”

Giovanni Trapattoni remains the big favourite for the post ahead of Terry Venables but Givens believes the performance against the Brazil will give the next man hope.

“We were missing a few players tonight who will be big players, so I think he’s got something to work with. I think it was a decent performance and you have got to remember who you are playing against.

“We contained them for long periods plus we gave them some problems as well. It was disappointing to lose at home but no everything is downbeat and I think it was a decent performance.”

The Republic hustled and harried to frustrate a strong Brazilian side who had a lot of possession but failed to create too many clear-cut chances before Real Madrid man Robinho struck his clever winner.

Robinho and Luis Fabiano both had chances from long range in a poor first period while Luisao shot straight at Shay Given from close in.

The Republic started the second half well with wide men Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff beginning to cause the visitors some problems.

The returning Duff almost got on the end of captain Robbie Keane’s clever through-ball before Kevin Kilbane sent in a fine cross from the left which Kevin Doyle headed onto the roof of the net.

Duff’s comeback after 10 months out pleased Givens.

“We all know how good Damien is and to have him back to his best – which he’s close to now – is great. We’re a small nation and we need our best players and Damien’s definitely one of those,” he said.

As the game belatedly sprang into life, Given tipped a close-range Fabiano effort over the bar and Julio Baptista drove a low effort narrowly wide of the keeper’s right-hand post in the 62nd minute.

But Brazil snatched victory in the 65th minute when Diego swept forward on the counter-attack and played in Robinho, who fired his shot through Carsley’s legs and past the out-stretched arm of Given.