Given senses Cup glory

Shay Given believes Manchester City’s big stars will hit form as the club’s prospects of European glory increase.

City had Given to thank last night for two penalty saves as they edged past Danish side Aalborg on spot-kicks to reach the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

Mark Hughes’ side looked to be cruising through but the Danes punished them twice in a nervy last five minutes to level at 2-2 on aggregate and force extra time at the Energi Nord Arena.

That then put the pressure on Given to keep hopes of a first major trophy for 32 years alive and he delivered in a manner which paid back a huge slice of his £8m transfer fee.

City will now play German side Hamburg in the last eight and Given expects a number of his team-mates to raise their games.

The 32-year-old said: “We are getting to the exciting end of the tournament now and we have got some big players in our changing room.

“The closer we get to the final, the more they will be right up for it.

“It would mean everything to get to the final but we don’t just want to reach it, we’d love to win it.

“But we are a good bit away and last night has shown where we still need to improve.”

Given left Newcastle as a hero in the recent transfer window and his performance last night will have gone some way to earning him similar status at Eastlands.

Yet the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper insisted he should not take all the praise for the victory.

“I know there is pressure on the takers as well,” he said.

“It wasn’t just my saves, the guys stepped up and put four of them away so they deserve some of the credit as well.”

Hughes was in no doubt as to how much City were indebted to Given, whom he believes has already proved a brilliant signing.

City’s defence showed their nerves in the closing minutes and Hughes feels Given’s experience will help eradicate such problems in future.

“When you see Shay Given between the sticks I think, mentally, he can get into opposition players’ minds,” said Hughes. “I think that’s what he did.

“Obviously with top-class keepers like Shay, when they guess right they invariably will save penalties.

“He has been really good for us. He gives us a calm assurance and I think he has helped the back four.

“In circumstances when you have needed him to make key saves at key times in games he has been able to produce that. We are delighted he is here.”

City now turn their attention back to the Barclays Premier League and Sunday’s visit of Sunderland.

City, beaten at Chelsea last week, are in danger of being pulled back into a relegation scrap and this weekend’s encounter will be important for both sides.

The Eastlands outfit are just six points above the bottom three while Sunderland are three points worse off.

Hughes said: “They are in a situation they want to get out of very quickly.

“They have had a change at the top and Ricky Sbragia, who is a well respected guy in football circles, has come in and done a good job of settling things down.

“It’s a good game for us. We’re going in on the back of our exploits in Europe and maybe a little bit of freshness could be taken from us, but I don’t sense that. The elation of getting through will compensate for that.”

Hughes will check on Stephen Ireland and Wayne Bridge, who suffered ankle and hamstring injuries respectively in Aalborg.

Vincent Kompany, who passed a late fitness test on a toe problem to feature, could also be doubtful but striker Craig Bellamy is back in contention after a knee injury.