Aston Villa goalie Benji Siegrist 'has a bright future'
Shay Given believes promising Aston Villa goalkeeper Benji Siegrist has a bright future in the game as he prepares to participate in the Olympic Games with Switzerland.
moreShay Given believes promising Villa goalkeeper Benji Siegrist has a bright future in the game as he prepares to participate in the Olympic Games with Switzerland.
Siegrist has yet to make a first-team appearance for the claret and blues but the 20-year-old will be the only Villa player to take part in London 2012 after rest of the club's talented youngsters failed to make the cut for the Team GB squad.
And Villa No.1 Given revealed he saw enough from Siegrist on the training ground last season to suggest he can go far.
"He comes across as a confident sort of guy, which is what you need to be a goalkeeper, but not too confident," said Ireland keeper Given.
"He's keen to learn, which is important. He's got little things he needs to improve on, but he knows that himself.
"Benji's a big guy, he's a confident guy and I think it's good that Terry Genoe's working with him and helping him to improve. I think he's keen to listen as well which is important and hopefully he'll have a big future with us.
"He's only 20 so at that age I don't think he should expect too much. But with Terry and the senior lads like myself and Andy Marshall coaching him and helping him learn, I think he should be in safe hands.
"Coming on the first-team trips has been good experience for him and he was coming out and helping to warm us up before games last season. It will give him a good feel for things."
Given will return for pre-season training on Monday which means Villa third-choice keeper Marshall will be between the sticks for Saturday's friendly at Burton Albion.