Shay Given is coming up to a marvellous international milestone that has the whole of the Republic celebrating - well, more or less, as The Guardian's David Hytner reports.

City's goalkeeper will win his 100th cap next Wednesday against Montenegro two years after his former skipper Roy Keane, referring to his readiness to play friendlies, reckoned "players have agendas - maybe they want 50 or 100 caps and a pat on the back for it. Shay is one of those."

Keane's graceless comment will not prevent Shay getting a sore back from his fellow countrymen, and the man himself dismisses such curmudgeonly sentiments as "quite comical". He tells Hytner: "When you're called to play for your country, it's the proudest moment you can have.

"Once you pull an Irish jersey on, it's an extremely proud moment, be that in a friendly or two massive World Cup qualifiers. That should never change."

Given, who will reach his ton at the same time as Kevin Kilbane all being well, added: "Deep down, it will be a special moment for both of us. When I supported the Irish team as a kid, I used to go to the hotel and get the players' autographs.

"That was special enough for me. If someone had said you'll play for your country one day ... I'm from Lifford, Donegal, you'd think no chance. I'd never have imagined making 100 caps."

Elsewhere, Wales legend Ian Rush seems concerned that Craig Bellamy, now a ripe old 30, might consider retiring from the hurly-burly of the international scene - as if.

Even now, Wales captain and top striker Bellers is gearing up for another 90 minutes of uninhibited footballing assault on Finland in Helsinki, with Liechtenstein for afters on Wednesday.

Rushy argues that the next generation of Welsh players can learn a lot from Craig, and adds with the stone certainty of one who had a long career: "He can play for another five years."

That one probably had a few Premier League defenders choking on their cornflakes ...