The Blues keeper, who has been confined to Carling Cup and Europa League duties so far this season, will skipper the Republic of Ireland against Norway tonight when he wins his record 109th cap.
In front of him at left back will be City teammate Greg Cunningham who is currently out on loan at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Leicester City.
Given, who may be in line for a Blues recall at Fulham this weekend after Joe Hart was sent home from the England camp with a bad back, has no fears about Cunningham’s ability to step up.
“Greg didn’t look out of place when he started training with the first team at the club last season. He’s very composed on the ball, is good going forward as well as being a good defender,” praised Given.
He’ll fit into this team without any problems
...Shay Given on Greg Cunningham...
“He’s a gifted left sided player - and there’s not many of them to the dozen. He’s got all the attributes to be around the Irish team for a long number of years.
“As well as that, Greg’s one of the nicest men you’ll meet in the world.”
Given is more than personable himself and is not one for throwing barbs even though he is currently stuck on the bench at City.
“There’s so much written about City and it’s unfair at times,” he said. “The press tries to say there are arguments every day and try to make big stories out of small stories.
“But I suppose that’s part and parcel of being at a hugely ambitious club with fantastic owners behind us.
“My own personal situation isn’t ideal. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of months. You try and work hard in training, but obviously it’s difficult to try and re-enact a match situation.
“I wish I was playing more because I would feel sharper, but this is the situation I’m in and I can’t really change that.”
