Il Capo tells his Italian pals all about Given
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GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has told his friends in Serie A to spend less on strikers and more on a quality goalkeeper like Shay Given, writes Daniel McDonnell.
The Irish manager has recommended Given to a few of his pals who are still managing in Italy's top flight, believing that he is worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Gianluigi Buffon.
And he has paid a further compliment to the Newcastle man by selecting him as captain for tonight's friendly with Poland in the absence of Robbie Keane.
"I know Shay's personality here in training, he commands the defence and that is very important. When Italian managers ask me about Shay I say yes, he is a goalkeeper good enough for a strong team in Italy," said Trapattoni.
"I speak with two or three big managers, they are my friends. When they ask me, I tell them he can play for you. Italian teams spend money, money, money for famous strikers and few for goalkeepers. For me, a goalkeeper is important like a striker.
"I think he is a little bit like Buffon. It's not nice to make comparisons, but the personality and quality is a little the same."
Sitting beside his manager as he lavished praise upon him, all Given could do was modestly take the compliment.
"Coming from a man like Mr Trapattoni, it's obviously very honouring for him to say such words because Gianluigi Buffon is one of the best keepers in the world," he said.
"To be even mentioned in the same sentence as him is a great honour."
