Shay Given: Another good Premier League season and Caoimhín Kelleher will attract top clubs 

The Corkman is thriving since his move from Liverpool to Brentford. 

Premier Sports CEO Ireland Ryle Nugent, centre, alongside analysts Shay Given and Kenny Cunningham promoting Premier Sports – the home of live football and rugby including UEFA club competitions, English Premier League, BKT United Rugby Championship, Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. Premier Sports is available via your TV provider on Sky, NOW and Virgin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland legend Shay Given expects Brentford to eventually lose fellow goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher to a tempting offer.

The Corkman left Liverpool at the start of last season, since flourishing as a first-choice Premier League custodian under compatriot Keith Andrews.

Given, who earned 134 caps during an Ireland career that included World Cup and Euro finals appearances, has watched his successor with admiration and isn’t the only one.

He believes it’s inevitable a higher calling will eventually entice movement but not until both player and club feel the time is right to do business.

A return to his first professional club on Merseyside isn’t out of the question, according to the ex-Manchester City and Newcastle United ‘keeper.

“Brentford got an absolute bargain last year when paying £12.5m (€15m) upfront for Caoimhín when you see James Trafford recently moving to Leeds United for £40m (€45.6m).

“We know the Brentford model. They buy players and sell them on for quite a big profit, and I’m sure Caoimhin is in that bracket as well.

“Keith would want to keep him for a few years and probably Caoimhin wants to stay for a few years to play regularly and show everyone how good he is as well.

“I know Brentford fans will have a go at me but I’m sure he will look at an opportunity to move on again.

“Liverpool might have first option on him because Alisson is getting on a bit but I would imagine if he has another really good season there will be clubs looking at him.” 

Recent changes in regular starting goalkeepers at Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa underline the depth of turnover in that department.

“Playing in the Premier League every week, you are a shop window because that's the top end and everyone is watching,” explained Given at a Premier Sports event this week.

“That’s up to Caoimhin but he looks like he has filled out a bit more and is a bit stronger.

“I’ve been into Brentford a few times and their staff are doing a lot of stuff in the gym with him - strength training and the like.

“There is a different pressure being number one every week and he has got used to it.

“Knowing how Brentford work, they probably have Caoimhin’s replacement already lined up because they probably think there are clubs sniffing around.

“They’ve done phenomenal business over the last 10 years. Just look at Mamadou Sangaré.

“Everyone is going, bloody hell, how has he been missed because he was in the French Ligue 1 team of the season. But, like with Caoimhin at the start of last season, they moved quicker than other clubs.” 

Meanwhile, Given doesn’t foresee his fellow Donegal native Séamus Coleman being part of the Ireland squad for the upcoming quadruple header of Uefa Nations League fixtures.

The former Ireland captain, 37, is still without a club having ended his long stint at Everton in May.

“I would be surprised if he's in it,” he said. “I don't think it means he's finished with Ireland.

“We know what he’s like as a player. Even playing for Ireland and not Everton, his fitness level didn't drop off so I hope he gets sorted with a new club.”