Soccer:Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has given another clear hint that Shay Given is on his way out of the club after leaving the goalkeeper out of his side for tomorrow's Europa League tie with Timisoara.
Had Given played he would have been cup-tied in Europe, a situation the Republic of Ireland international was obviously keen to avoid. Given — unhappy at losing his place to Joe Hart — has already made his intentions clear to Mancini with Fulham and Arsenal both understood to be interested in the goalkeeper.
“Joe Hart will play,” Mancini said today. “I had a very difficult choice to make before the Spurs game because I have two world-class goalkeepers. It is difficult for one of them to sit on the bench.
“I respect Shay Given a lot. He is a good man and I want him to stay, but I also understand any decision he might make.”
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has already expressed his interest in offering the Donegalman first-team football but the Glasgow club would only be able to take him on loan. Celtic are keen to bolster their goalkeeping options following the summer sale of Artur Boruc to Fiorentina. However, Lennon's main priority is to prepare his team for Thursday's Europa League clash with Utrecht.
"If it was a possibility then of course," Lennon said of Given. "He's one of the best keepers in the Premier League. We've been linked with a lot of players and there's been speculation on a lot of players. I don't really want to comment on players coming in or going out. I'm just concentrating on the game on Thursday."
Irish left-back Greg Cunningham could make a rare appearance for City against Timisoara tomorrow, with Aleksandar Kolarov and Wayne Bridge both out injured. While the likes of Given and Stephen Ireland are about to bid Eastlands goodbye, Cunningham signed for a new four-year deal with the club earlier this week.
“I’m obviously delighted to sign for City for another four years,” Cunningham said.” I’ll hopefully impress as much as I can and get as much game time as I can. I’ve been working away and plugging hard and maybe the manager has seen something that he likes.”
The new deal caps a fantastic few months for the 19 year-old after he made his Ireland debut against Algeria at the start of the summer.
“It was a dream come true,” he added. “I’ve been dreaming of playing for Ireland at any level so tor senior level was fantastic.”