Given hails clinical Keane

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After Given had pulled off a superb save to deny Cyprus striker Ioannis Okkas at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Saturday night, Keane did what he does best at the other end with seven minutes remaining to snatch a precious 2-1 victory.

Given said: "They say the hardest part of football is scoring the goals, and Robbie has got a great knack of being in the right place at the right time and sticking the ball away."

He added: "He deserves great credit. He's the captain and a leader as well, and he deserved his goal.

"That's his 40th goal for Ireland and he is streets ahead of any other goalscorer.

"It's fantastic for him. It was a massive, massive goal. He has scored so many down the years, important goals, and he nicked another one on Saturday night."

If Italy beat Bulgaria on Wednesday, they will go four points clear at the top of the group and will be even hotter favourites to see off Ireland's challenge.

However, Given and his team-mates believe there is enough football yet to be played to give them a chance of springing what would have been considered a major shock when the draw was made.

He said: "We have got to believe we can do it. Why not? We will see how Italy and Bulgaria go on on Wednesday night, and then it is going to be a massive game at Croke Park on that Saturday in October.

"You never know."