By Matthew Jones
June 4 2005

Speculation linking Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given with a transfer to Manchester United will not unsettle the Irish shot-stopper, who is remaining fully focused ahead of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying match against Israel. Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to take the Irish number one to Old Trafford, although Primera Liga champions Barcelona are also believed to be interested.

Despite these rumours, Given is remaining focused on the task in hand, which is Israel's visit to Lansdowne Road on Saturday, swiftly followed by a trip to the Faroe Islands on Wednesday.

SHAY GIVEN: "The talk is not at all unsettling.

"It's purely speculation as far as I'm concerned. The most important thing to me is tomorrow's game, and I can't state that highly enough.

"I don't want to talk about the things in the papers because it's such an important game tomorrow, and nothing is going to distract me - or any other player - from that.

"We are all concentrating and focused on that, in particular after training all week, and the week before that in the build up to the game against Celtic in Glasgow.

"We all just want to get out there and play because it can be boring in the hotel, so we are desperate to get on the pitch and get the three points, which is the most important thing."

Freddy Shepherd has not recieved any offers for Given.