Football World Cup 2002: Shay wants to be man on the spot.

SHAY Given not only hopes to save spotkicks if the Republic of Ireland's game against Spain goes to penalties, he wants to take one as well.

The Newcastle goalkeeper has already been one of the many heroes for Ireland so far in this World Cup, and if Sunday's last-16 clash with Spain in Suwon goes to penalties he will have the chance to go down in Irish folklore.

But Given also quite fancies donning his shooting boots if the tie goes that far, and making the headlines by scoring a penalty as well as saving them.

``Our goalkeeping coach Packie Bonner mentioned to me after the last game that the next step is penalty kicks if it goes that far, and I told him I fancy taking one myself, actually,'' said Given.

``But he put his grumpy head on and said `you just worry about saving them'.

``I've never taken a penalty but I would fancy taking one. If you feel confident enough to take one, then why not?

``I suppose people will think outfield players should take them because they're more used to striking the ball.

``Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert does it and takes the free-kicks as well, but if I tried that Mick McCarthy's hair would be going greyer than it is at the minute.''

Ireland are likely to practice penalties before Sunday's game, and Given boasts a decent record on recent statistics.

He said: ``I faced three last season and saved two, so that was pretty good. The third, I got my hand to it and should have saved it.

``The taker is expected to score so if you save it you're the hero. I think the pressure's more on the taker than the keeper.

``It's the luck of the draw sometimes. You try your best to read his run-up but when you're playing against world-class players, they can throw all kinds of shapes when they come up to the ball.

``Sometimes it's down to luck so hopefully the luck will be with the Irish on the day.

``We'll probably do a bit of practice on them this week and we have to be ready if it goes that far and see what happens.''

CAPTION(S):

SPOT KING: Niall Quinn faces some penalties in training but Republic keeper Shay Given can't wait to face spot kicks