LEE CARSLEY and fellow former Ireland internationals Declan Rice and Jack Grealish can expect a fiery reception on their return to Dublin.
That is according to Shay Given, who jokingly told old Aston Villa pal Grealish as much via text, to which the Manchester City star replied with laughing emojis.
Carsley, 50, makes his bow as interim England boss on Saturday against the nation for whom he won 40 caps as a player.
Londoner Rice made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland before switching back to England while Three Lions team-mate Grealish played up through the Irish youth ranks.
Irish stalwart Given appeared with Birmingham-born Carsley many times at international level, including at the 2002 World Cup.
The former Newcastle keeper, 48, told SunSport: “Lee won’t be expecting anything else other than a volatile reception with his team because it’s our biggest rival.
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“It’s going to be a fiery atmosphere, that’s for sure. It’s crazy how the stars have aligned that his first game is Ireland away.
“I don’t imagine Lee will be doing a lap of honour after the game! He knows what he’s walking into.
“Rice and Grealish are two brilliant players who were both wearing the green of Ireland at one point.
“I’m sure they’ll be in for a bit of a reception as well.
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“Jack’s back in the squad. I texted him jokingly the other day that I hope he’s ready for a nice reception when he gets back to Dublin and I got a few laughing faces back.”
Another factor that could add to an already spicy Nations League tie at the Aviva Stadium is the fact the Football Association of Ireland wanted Carsley as boss.
But the mastermind behind England’s Under-21 Euros triumph last summer decided to stay put, with Ireland eventually turning to ex-Iceland and Jamaica chief Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Given said: “It does add a lot to it. Lee was strongly linked to it.
“I’m sure most Irish fans would love him to be on our bench at the weekend because they’ve got huge respect for him. But that’s not happened. We’ve got a new manager.
“It’s straight into the melting pot for his first game against your biggest rivals in Dublin, it doesn’t get any bigger than that.”
Given played with numerous team-mates across his 23-year career but Carsley is one of the few he remains in touch with.
The Toon stalwart reckons comparisons can be drawn to Luis de la Fuente, who managed Spain’s youth teams before beating Gareth Southgate’s England to win the Euros at senior level earlier this summer.
While Carsley’s assistant Joleon Lescott is a neighbour and a former team-mate at Man City.
The Toon stalwart added: “I asked Joleon after the Euros what Lee brings. He said his leadership qualities are brilliant but the players just love him and want to win for him.
“It’s about man-management as much as systems or tactical things.
“Lee seems a really perfect fit for England and I don’t say that lightly.
“I know he’s been part of the system and you only have to look at Spain with regards their manager.
“He knows the players inside out because he’s been there a longer number of years with the FA.”
Given believes Carsley will give attacking players “more freedom” than predecessor Southgate, which will be “refreshing” to many fans.
He is also backing Tino Livramento to justify his maiden call-up and believes Magpies team-mate Nick Pope will give Carsley something to consider in goal.
Given added: “Livramento is ready all right. He is the real deal.
“The easiest choice in goal would be to stick with Jordan Pickford.
“But Nick Pope is good enough to play at international level.”
Meanwhile, Given has urged Hallgrimsson to do what England did with Rice and Grealish and persuade Liam Delap to switch allegiances to Ireland.
The Ipswich striker, who has five England Under-21 caps, is the son of Rory Delap, who played with Given for the Republic.
Given said: “If I was the Ireland manager, I would be going, ‘Liam, you could play for us every game’.
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“I would leave no stone unturned to get players on board.”
- Shay Given is a brand ambassador for sports betting platform CopyBet. Visit CopyBet.com
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
