Given wants to be spot-kick saviour

By Matthew Jones
June 15 2002

Shay Given has said he would be willing to take a penalty as well as save them if the need arose in a shoot-out for Ireland at the Finals. The Newcastle number one, who has been his usual impressive self so far for Ireland, has admitted he would be prepared for a to shoot from 12 yards if required.

Shay Given has said he would be willing to take a penalty as well as save them if the need arose in a shoot-out for Ireland at the World Cup.

The Newcastle number one, who has been his usual impressive self so far for Mick McCarthy's men out in Japan and South Korea, has admitted he would be prepared for a role reversal and shoot from 12 yards for his country if required.

Ireland face Spain tomorrow in the Second Round of World Cup 2002 and Given revealed the squad had practised penalties in the build-up to the game.

The 26-year-old has never taken a penalty in a professional match but admitted he had spoke to former Ireland keeper Packie Bonner, who is part of the coaching staff out with the Irish in the Far East, about the possibility of him taking a penalty if his country find themselves in a shoot-out in the remainder of the tournament.