Shay Given backs Stephen Ireland
Monday 25th July 2011, 10:00AM BST.
Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has told fans that Stephen Ireland will be “like a new signing” after the midfielder’s impressive start to pre-season.
Ireland was frozen out under previous manager Gerard Houllier but Given is confident his compatriot will flourish under McLeish’s guidance.
Given said: “When I joined Manchester City, Stephen Ireland was the first name on the sheet. He’s a fantastic player and one of the top midfielders in the country when he is on song.
“It’s like a new signing because, for whatever reason, he didn’t feature at all last season. It has got to come from him, as well, but the player I’ve seen at City and that I have seen again here so far, he’s a top, top midfielder.
“He’ll be wanting to do well because of last season when he didn’t feature as much as he would want and he will be champing at the bit to get into the season and to show people he’s a top player.
“The Villa fans haven’t seen that. We’ll encourage him as much as we can but Stephen has got to do his bit as well and I’m sure he will.
“At City he was one of the best trainers. He puts a real shift in when he’s working.
“When Villa signed him I thought they’d got a real top player and, hopefully, we will see that this season.”
UK Sport
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