Shay Given aims to get over Gullit’s slap in the face

Shay Given is hoping for an early birthday present this afternoon.

The Republic of Ireland keeper has made an unexpected return to the limelight for club and country, thanks to Aston Villa’s FA Cup run.

He has been given the nod from new Villa boss Tim Sherwood to line up in goal at Wembley for their semi-final with Liverpool, and a chance to begin his 39th birthday celebrations a day early.

Given has played understudy to Brad Guzan all season in the Premier League, but he has been an ever-present in the Birmingham club’s run to the last four.

He’s also made his first competitive appearance for the Republic since Euro 2012, against Poland in March the same day Group D rivals Scotland were hitting Gibraltar for six.

So it’s no surprise that Given reflects on 2015 as a new lease of life, and is aiming to end his Wembley jinx.

Given lost an FA Cup Final and semi-final with Newcastle United, was dropped for another Final and was only on the bench when Manchester City won the Cup in 2011.

“I don’t really consider that I’ve won the Cup,” says Given. “I don’t even know where my medal is. It was nice to be part of winning it with City, but it doesn’t have the same value and you don’t get the feeling you’ve done anything.

“I played in my first Final in 1998 for Newcastle, but not in the second one a year latter, despite having played in every round.

“That is not something that’s easy to get over if you ever get over it. Ruud Gullit didn’t even tell me I wasn’t playing.

“He got the goalkeeping coach, Terry Gennoe, to tell me in the week leading up to the game. That was a bit of a slap in the face.

“But you can’t look back in football. Maybe at the end of your career, you can say it was a harsh decision.

“This Cup run has helped me to show people I’m still fit, still able to play and I think I’ve done well in some of the games.

“I’ve not played at the new Wembley. I’ve only warmed up with Joe Hart, so this is a huge game for me.

“As a kid, you dive around the garden thinking you are diving around at Wembley, so I’m looking forward to doing that for real.”

Given’s stellar Cup performances, notably in the wins over Leicester City and West Brom, saw him get the nod from Republic boss Martin O’Neill for last month’s Euro 2016 qualifier against the Poles.

And another strong showing today would put him in pole position to start June’s crucial showdown against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

Roy Keane’s short spell as assistant to Paul Lambert at Villa eased his path back into the Irish squad, and now the veteran keeper isn’t ruling out a summer in France next year.

“I know the goalkeeping coach, Seamus McDonagh, came to watch the last couple of FA Cup games and I played well,” Given admits. “I am sure that is why I was picked for the last big qualifier.

“For this FA Cup game, I’m certain Martin O’Neill will be watching out again, and Roy Keane as well, and it’s another chance for me to show them that I can still play.

“Roy probably had a big influence on me getting back in the squad, having been here at Villa. But the final decision lies with Martin.

“I can make Euro 2016 but I need to be playing more regularly.”