Shay´s presence a Given

Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly is 100 percent sure Shay Given will start their Euro 2012 opener against Croatia on Sunday.

Given has been nursing niggles to his knee and calf, causing him to miss training on Tuesday, but Kelly said the Aston Villa man’s absence from the session was nothing more than precautionary.

“He’s fine. I don’t think wild horses could keep him off that pitch on Sunday,” he said.

Kelly explained playrers such as Given and Aiden McGeady had been given the day off after complaining of fatigue after their friendly against Hungary on Monday, claiming it made sense to give everyone this rest before their Euro 2012 opener in Poznan on Sunday.

Spartak Moscow winger McGeady suggested on Tuesday that a more relaxed approach to training may benefit the side in Poland and Ukraine.