Given pondered Magpies exit

By Matthew Jones
August 12 2002

Goalkeeper Shay Given has admitted he thought he may have to quit Newcastle this summer until finally resolving contract talks with the club.

Goalkeeper Shay Given has admitted he thought he may have to quit Newcastle this summer until finally resolving contract talks with the club.

Given was in outstanding form last season and was voted the Best Goalkeeper in the Premiership by his fellow professionals.

But even as the campaign reached its final stages, the Republic of Ireland international had still not agreed an extension to his existing contract.

Scottish champions Celtic, who he supported as a boy and where he spent time as an apprentice, and Manchester United were linked with Given as talks remained deadlocked. But a five-year deal was finally agreed - much to Given's delight.

He said: "Deep down I always wanted to stay at Newcastle but the longer the situation dragged on, the more I thought: 'Blimey, maybe I am going to have to look elsewhere'.

"Thankfully, things are all sorted out now. I'm here for the next five years and, if it is up to me, even longer."

Meanwhile, Given insists his accolade as the Premiership's No 1 is incidental next to Newcastle's success in the coming nine months.

"I'd settle for being voted the worst goalkeeper in the Premiership if it meant we finished above fourth place," he added.