GIVEN LEFT OUT

Shay Given has been left out of the Ireland squad for a friendly match against Serbia next month. Not only Given, some other senior players of Ireland team have also been left out of the squad. However, the coach of Ireland, Giovanni Trapattoni, has said that some of the senior players might be called back in the team for playing in World Cup Qualifier games. As per Trapattoni, he wants to have a look at some of the young players.

The performance of Ireland was disastrous in the Euro Cup 2012. The team lost all the three group matches against Croatia, Spain and Italy. After the tournament, Trapattoni has been criticized a lot for not giving opportunities to the youngsters in that tournament. Almost all the senior players of Ireland including Given have struggled in the Euro cup. Especially, the performance of Given was below par. Nine goals were scored against Ireland in three games. It seemed that Given’s reflexes have become slow with the age.

Trapattoni said that he sent a text message to Given 15 days ago. In that message, he informed Given that he would not play in the match against Serbia, but, Given didn’t give any reply to the message. The goal keeper of Sunderland, Keiren Westwood, will play in place of Given in the match against Serbia. As per Trapattoni, Westwood would be the first choice goal keeper for the World Cup qualifier games and Given might be included in the team as the reserve goal keeper.

Meanwhile, the new manager of Aston Villa, Paul Lambart, has also said that Given is not a guaranteed selection in the first team of the club in the upcoming season. Lambart said that he is looking to try some young goal keepers and Given might have to sit out of some matches.