Bobby Robson will rest Irish International keeper Shay Given, giving Steve Harper his chance to make or break the Magpies Champions League dream in a must win game against Juventus at St. James
Tonight’s fixture is a game that United simply cannot afford to lose, and Harper will start the biggest match of his ‘Black and White army’ career tonight, after winning the right to face Juventus at St James's Park. Harper has finally ousted friend and rival Shay Given in time to tackle the reigning ‘Serie A’ champions at St. James, but Shay will take the hot seat back with no doubt as the Mags take on Charlton at St. James this coming Saturdays’ Premiership fixture.
After a tremendous World Cup qualifying campaign, and a terrific World Cup Finals, Given was also the Premiership's top performer last season. The Donegal shot stopper also won more votes than any fellow professional, to take the coveted north-east Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award.
However, Robson feels it is time to give his Irish international a well-earned rest and the Newcastle boss has taken his recognised number one out of the firing line following Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Blackburn.
Fifa World Rankings, 24/10/02
The Republic of Ireland have remained 14th place in the world according to the latest FIFA rankings published earlier today.
Mick McCarthy's army hasn’t dropped a position despite their disappointing recent 2-1 defeat at Lansdowne Road to Switzerland in their Group 10 Euro 2004 qualifiers.
Meanwhile the now famous Switzerland ‘VICTORY’ over the Republic of Ireland has assisted their progress up the ranking tables nine places to 45th, while Russia's early good form in Group 10 has seen them rise one place to 23rd.
Albania has dropped one place to a lowly 96th, with Georgia dropping six places to 77th
Back to current news page Republic of Ireland archive news Home
