Shay The Record Breaker!

Last Updated : 08-Sep-2007 by

The 31-year-old has been plagued by injuries in recent years, including a persistent groin problem which ruled him out of the start of the season, while a serious tear in his bowel which sidelined him in 2006.

Given's value is evident to Steve Staunton's side. He has not conceded a goal in Ireland's last three competitive matches.

Among the games he missed were the 5-2 loss in Cyprus last year and the
4-0 friendly hammering by Holland.

Given insists he will not have eclipsing Bonner's record on his mind as he goes into the games against the Slovaks then the Czech Republic next Wednesday, realistically needing at least four points to keep their hopes alive.

Given: "It is just so frustrating being injured again. It is great to be coming back at a time when we are involved in two such massive games.

"Records are something to look back on at the end of your career but at the moment all I am concentrating on is getting the results we need.

"I am not thinking about records at all.

"We've taken a lot of stick in the past that we haven't travelled away so well so it was great to go to Denmark and get four goals and a clean sheet.

"It has given us the belief that we can go away and get results.

"Ideally, we will take six points from these two games but four would be a pretty good return as well. I believe the two games are equally hard but we have certainly got the confidence back in the team now."