McLeish Hails Given On Difficult Day

Alex McLeish was extremely praiseful of Shay Given after the keeper played on through his grief to earn his side a point at the Liberty

Given was in tears before the game having been a close friend of Speed from the pair’s days at Newcastle together.

McLeish said after the game “Shay was upset during the minute’s applause and I was worried about losing him for the game

“James Collins was as white as a sheet, and Jermaine Jenas played in central midfield as Gary Speed’s partner at Newcastle.

“These guys were all extremely distraught about what is a big loss to football and of course to Gary’s family, who have suffered the biggest loss of all. But the players showed great professionalism. Shay told me the news ten minutes before I gave my team talk at the hotel, and I told them to make the game a tribute to Gary.

“I told them to use it to drive them on in the game and I’m glad they didn’t let it affect them.

“Shay pulled off a great save at the end when we needed him — his concentration was fantastic.

“I never played against him, but I remember watching him at every club he played for, ploughing through midfield into the box and wanting to score goals

“He was a fantastic professional and I think everybody in the game loved him.

“He was doing a brilliant job with the national team. Wales have been flying and it looked as though international football was for him.

“I am sure there will be a few more tears shed over what’s happened.

“We applied ourselves much better (than at Tottenham last Monday)

“Swansea passed it very well. We tried to stop them doing that as well as they do but they are a good side. The only time they really penetrated us was in the last 15 minutes, but we looked dangerous ourselves.”