The fact that Estonia probably aren’t very good gives us an advantage in the Euro 2012 play-offs – but Shay Given was instead choosing to concentrate on Ireland’s greater experience of the play-off format.
Given has played in four play-offs for major tournaments – coming out on the right end just once, against Iran in 2001.
Belgium, Turkey and (whisper it) France have all got the better of us over the past 14 years, but old stager and old reliable Given is looking forward to improving on that ratio over the next five days.
He was careful, however, not to say what most people in Ireland are thinking: that Estonia are no good. Oh no, Shay reckons Ireland have the advantage because of our experience. But then he has to say that.
He said, “There are people of 25 years of age who haven’t even seen Ireland at a European Championships – that’s really mad to even think about.
“They don’t get much bigger than these games. We’re all excited about them. There’s pressure and expectation, but you have to take that on your shoulders and respond to it.
“We’ve got an advantage – the experience of being here before – and I think it’s the first time they’ve qualified for a play-off situation.
“They’ve had some great results, so we can’t be taking them lightly. We can’t turn up thinking it’s going to be an easy game because we know they’ve got some very good players as well.”
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