This is a famous decision that has left every Celtic fan completely bewildered, and its easy to understand why. Celtic signed Given as a 15 year old in 1992 and the keeper played regularly as a youth team goalkeeper. It seems, however, that Celtic had no idea they had a future world class keeper in their ranks. Celtic deemed him surplus to requirements and let Shay move to Blackburn Rovers in 1994. He impressed Newcastle manager Dalglish while on loan at Sunderland, and he made his trip from Wear to Tyne which would proved to be his best career decision. Given is regarded as one of the best keepers in the history of the modern day Premier League. Given has always been a Celtic supporter and, during the later years of his time at Newcastle, frequently told the press of his aim to someday move back to the club he loves and live the experience he should have had in his prime. The problem was that the Irishman matured as a first team goalkeeper at the time when Premier League teams collectively produced their highest rate of inflation of players wages and transfer costs, and so Shay Given had become an expensive asset. It's such a shame that Celtic passed up the opportunity to experience the overwhelming joy that Given gave to Newcastle and their fans as a world-class keeper for so many years.
As a recent university graduate and a huge supporter of Celtic FC, what better way to use my inevitable free time to write about my favourite football team? I'll cover most things that the supporters are talking about at the moment, which includes things that directly and indirectly involve the club. At times I may also stray into matters concerning English clubs.
