Given has 'unfinished business' with Ireland
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
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"There was unfinished business," said Shay Given after the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper ended a two-year international retirement, admitting: "I missed the buzz."
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Shay Given says he decided to come out of international retirement and take a place in the Republic of Ireland squad after a two-year break because he has "unfinished business".
The 38-year-old announced his retirement from the Republic squad after their final game at UEFA EURO 2012, where he won his 125th senior cap. However, ahead of his first competitive game as Ireland manager – Sunday's UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying trip to Georgia – Martin O'Neill has recalled Given.
"Being back with Ireland is something special and if I do play it will be just like my second debut," said Given, who won his first senior cap as a teenager against Russia in 1996.
"I just felt there was a bit of unfinished business and I felt I could still offer something to the country. I spoke to Martin O'Neill a couple of times in the last couple of months but he only called me on Saturday morning on the way to training; I'm delighted."
The Aston Villa FC goalkeeper, who will be hoping to force his way into the Ireland XI for that assignment in Tbilisi, added: "I missed it, the buzz you get and the privilege of playing for your country. You miss that and you are a long time retired so you have a long time to look back. It's about giving it another go and playing a few more games to try and help the country as best I can."
