Shay Given sorry for 'Holocaust' remark - 'We all have areas of ignorance'

Given was working as a pundit on BBC's Saturday Final Score programme

Shay Given Photo: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Shay Given has issued an apology for using the word 'Holocaust' to describe Wilfried Nancy's spell as Celtic manager.

Working as a pundit on BBC's Saturday Final Score programme, the former Republic of Ireland described Nancy's first week in the job as "an absolute Holocaust".

He said: "Nancy took over that week and had an absolute Holocaust in that week and it was just a nightmare from then on, the defeats and Rangers last weekend was the final straw, final nail in the coffin."

Presenter Jason Mohammad later apologised for the use of the phrase, saying: "A little earlier you may have heard some inappropriate language so we would like to apologise for any offence caused."

Given has since issued his own apology on social media, writing: "On live television this afternoon, I used a word that i didn't fully understand the meaning of, and certainly won't ever use again.

"We all have areas of ignorance in our knowledge, and I hope to use this as an opportunity to become better educated going forward.

"I am genuinely mortified and apologise unreservedly to everyone offended, and will be donating my fee from today's show to the Holocaust Educational Trust."