Shay Given delivers stark message as he looks for Ireland's losing streak to end against Finland
The former Republic of Ireland stopper will take a win any which way it comes as he identifies a serious lack of confidence in the squad that Heimir Hallgrimsson must turn around with a victory
Shay Given will take an ugly 1-0 win in Helsinki for Ireland as long as the players get that elusive winning feeling back again.
The ex-Ireland goalkeeper is sick of the poor run of results that have now continued on new boss Heimir Hallgrimsson's watch and Given, speaking on RTE, is desperate for the national team to get back to winning ways and stop the spiral of bad results that they can't seem to get out of.
"He doesn't have much time, that's the problem with club management or international management," said Given of Hallgrimsson, who takes charge for the third game tonight against Finland.
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"Probably even more so, with international management, because you don't get the players for very long and you don't get much training time with them.
"I know in recent weeks I think he's been to see the players in England, been to see some of the live performances as well as watching on Wyscout or whatever but it's personality, leadership, all these different qualities, you have to train with and meet these guys and speak to them in a one v one situation.
"But again, it's this team, we've spoken about it before, it's lacking in so much confidence.
"The results have been so poor and so he has change the mentality as much as anything, and sometimes you have to get away from philosophies and how to play.
"This team have to grind out a result and if it's tonight in Helsinki, then so be it, be it an ugly 1-0, they have to get that winning feeling again and what that does is, it breeds confidence within the squad and in the team.
"There is a lot of talented players, and that's what gives me hope. I just hope for their sake they can get results."
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