Posted online: Aug 11th, 2010

By Frank Craig
sports editor

Donegal soccer legend Packie Bonner believes that the England national team’s desperation for a goalkeeping savour is the real reason Shay Given’s position as Manchester City’s number one is under threat.
Given’s understudy at Eastlands, Joe Hart, is being pushed heavily in some quarters of the media cross channel; but Bonner insists that Given is still the top stopper at the club.
He said: “The media in England are desperate for a goalkeeper, and Joe Hart fits the bill for a young, potential goalkeeper for them. So they will blow that up of course. But we need Shay playing.”
Given broke his silence on Monday afternoon stating that he would seek sit down talks with City boss Roberto Mancini in relation to his future, if he doesn’t start between the posts against Tottenham on
Sunday. Having worked tirelessly over the summer on his fitness following surgery on a shoulder injury picked up at the tail end of last season; Bonner insisted that Given is well within his rights to demand clarity on the situation from his manager.
“I think that’s the make-up of Shay,” added the former Celtic netminder. “Shay wants to be out there, he wants to play and he’s done that all throughout his career. He’s single-minded, he’ll say that now but let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Given will be hoping to do his cause no harm when he lines out this evening for Ireland, as they take on the mighty Argentina to mark the official opening of the national side’s new home – the impressive Aviva Stadium.