Given warns Ireland team-mates against complacency
Monday September 08 2008
Shay Given has warned his Republic of Ireland team-mates not to get too carried away by their opening World Cup qualifier victory over Georgia.
Ireland got their campaign off to the perfect start when goals from Kevin Doyle and Glenn Whelan handed them three points in the German city of Mainz on Saturday evening.
However, as they flew to Podgorica today for Wednesday night's clash with Montenegro, Given, whose senior international career stretches back more than 12 years, knows there will be plenty of twists and turns to come before Group Eight finally takes shape.
He said: "It's a very tough group. People who say it is an easy group, I think, are way off the mark.
"Italy are the world champions, Bulgaria have got some very good players as well and Georgia, Montenegro and Cyprus - there are no easy games.
"Every game, you have got to be focussed on the job in hand."
Given's caution looks to be well-founded after an eventful start to the group which saw 10-man Bulgaria snatch a point at the death in Montenegro and Italy strike just as late to win in Cyprus at the weekend.
Indeed, while the Republic left home ahead of their double-header confident of returning with two positive results, they did so equally well aware that they would have to scrap tooth and nail to get them.
Given said: ``We have only played one so far, but it is a great start and we will take a lot of positives from Saturday night's game.
``But Montenegro on Wednesday will be an even tougher game, maybe. With the heat, it is going to be a lot warmer over there as well, so that will add to it.''
