Speaking at a Boylesports media event ahead of this month’s World Cup finals in Qatar, former Republic of Ireland goalkeeping great Shay Given gives his verdict on Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland, coaching and whether England have what it takes to bring the cup home. Brendan Crossan reports…
Brendan Crossan: How have you filled the void since retiring from football?
Shay Given: I got involved in the media and the opportunity came to get involved with Derby after Frank Lampard called me. I was there for three years and that’s 18 months ago now. I’m obviously covering the World Cup for RTE. A coaching job would be seven days a week, while the media work gives me a bit more time with the family and getting the odd game of golf in.
BC: Do you miss playing?
SG: I do and I don’t. My right knee isn’t in good shape… but you’re never going to replace that buzz of performing and playing at the top level. You do miss that, but at the same time life goes on. I had a good run at it – I finished playing at 41 so I can’t have too many complaints.
BC: Where do you stand on Stephen Kenny and his Republic of Ireland tenure?
SG: Obviously, results have been disappointing. If you put a spreadsheet up – wins, losses – it wouldn’t be great reading for any Irish fan. I think there’s a patience among the fans because of the transitional period and having to change the team and how the team plays. Stephen probably realises himself that when the Euro qualification begins in March it is time to back it up with big results.
Playing France and Holland isn’t going to be easy but we have to focus on the other games as well and try and sneak something from France and Holland.
BC: Who excites you in this Ireland team?
SG: I covered the Scotland game at home and the two lads up front [Michael Obafemi and Troy Parrott] did well. I like [Chiedozie] Ogbene as well. I would love to have seen all three playing against Armenia [in September].
Playing five at the back against Armenia was also an opportunity to go with four, and let those three run riot up top. But he stuck with the [central defensive] three.
I’m not a coach or a manager but sometimes it’s a free hit at home to Armenia – try something different. Nathan Collins is a player that has a massive future and is a future captain of the side. The goalkeepers - Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhín Kelleher and Mark Travers – are probably he strongest department of the whole squad.
Josh Cullen has had a good season. Jason Knight at Derby… these players have had two years now. Hopefully they can make that next step now and that’s qualifying for the Euros.
BC: Can England win the World Cup?
SG: They missed their chance at the Euros at Wembley last summer, playing against two centre halves [Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini] whose combined age was 70 or something like that… Can they be more adventurous in Qatar? I think they need a bit more belief. In the last six months they have dropped off, they finished at the bottom of the Nations League and to go straight to World Cup, so it’s hard to switch it on again.
BC: What’s your stance on the World Cup finals being held in Qatar, with so many migrant workers having perished during the building of the stadia?
SG: I thought Jurgen Klopp spoke really well on it and I think everyone is in agreement with the human rights abuses and gay people being criminalised [in Qatar] is wrong.
As Klopp said, something should have been done 12 years ago [when the finals were awarded to Qatar]… the World Cup is such a big event, but the managers and players didn’t pick to play in Qatar.
I think there will be difficult press conferences for every player being asked about it. We’re living in 2022 and these things shouldn’t be happening, but at the same time these players are going to play for their country, they want to perform and it just happens to be in Qatar.
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BoyleSports: World Cup outright betting
Brazil: 4/1; Argentina: 6/1; France: 15/2; Spain: 9/1; England:19/2; Germany: 12/1; Netherlands: 14/1; Wales: 400/1
