Shay's skippership scuppered

Having "thought long and hard about it" and deciding that "Shay was the obvious candidate", new Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has handed the captaincy to Spurs striker Robbie Keane. Eh? Is some of Sir Bobby Robson's legendary confusion rubbing off on the former Liverpool and Villa man?

For Sir Bobby's part, I'm sure he will have made Staunton well aware of Given's leadership qualities and capacity to skipper the side - but it isn't to be, much to Shay's obvious disappointment.

Like the Murphy's, though, he's not bitter. Well, not much. "It would be nice one day if Robbie was not fit, or he went off in a game. Just to put the armband on for five minutes would be a fantastic honour because to lead your country is one of the biggest achievements of your career". Hmm, I can see Shay coming off his line for a corner and clobbering Keane in the head accidentally on purpose, can't you?