Shay Given Spits Out The Dummy!

Last updated : 09 August 2010 By Footy Mad - Editor

Given has made it clear he is not prepared to play second fiddle to Joe Hart this season.

Hart was outstanding during a season-long loan at Birmingham last season, to such an extent that Mancini has refused to allow the 23 -year-old to join another club on a similar basis.

That has opened the debate as to whether Hart or Given will receive the nod from Mancini for Saturday's Premier League curtain-raiser against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Given: "We will have to wait until lunchtime on Saturday when the manager picks the team to see who starts in goal.

"Obviously I hope to start, but it's inevitable there is going to be speculation because I know Joe is also a top 'keeper.

"The manager will decide, and whoever he starts with you would feel that is who he would mostly want to play in the big games.

"If I don't start then I'll sit down with the club next week and see where my future lies, and maybe vice-versa with Joe, because we will both feel we should be playing.

"Ideally I'd like to stay at the club because it's a big club to be at, a very ambitious club with fantastic owners.

"I want to be part of it, which is why I joined in the first place.

"If I don't start I guess it's an advantage the transfer window will still be open.

"Maybe I'll go out on loan, come back and see where that takes me.

"But I know I'm at a stage where I need to be playing. I'm 34, and I've not got millions of years left."