“It's Great To Get The Boots Back On”

Shay Given is looking forward to getting back in the routine of day-to-day football after he completed his first session as the Head Goalkeeping Coach of Derby County.

The former Republic of Ireland international joined Scott Carson, Jonathan Mitchell and Kelle Roos out on the grass at the Training Centre as the squad took part in their first session since arriving back from the pre-season training camp in Tenerife.

It’s just over one year since Given ended his playing career and he is looking forward to being back in the thick of the action, whilst he also gave an insight into what he hopes to bring to the table as a member of Frank Lampard’s backroom team.

He told RamsTV: “I didn’t sleep overly well last night! I was going through the sessions in my head.

“I enjoyed meeting the goalkeepers this morning and I enjoyed the training session. It was great to get the boots back on as well and get back out on the grass.

“You do miss it and it’s difficult. You’re used to getting up every day and getting the boots and gloves on, and the banter with the lads as well.

“I’m part of a different team now with the staff, but it’s good to have a bit of craic with the lads.

“We want to try and keep them at ease because it can be quite a pressure situation, and I think that does help as well.”

Given added: “I think I can help the outfield players as well, with advice and the things that I’ve been through during my career and hopefully we can work together as well.

“The Goalkeeping A Licence doesn’t just help with the basics of goalkeeping, it’s also about working with outfield players as a defensive unit, set plays and playing out from the back.”

The former Newcastle United and Manchester City ‘keeper will be working closely with the Rams’ No.1 Carson, with the pair previously having come face-to-face on several occasions whilst Given was a player.

Given highlighted the superb consistency that Carson has shown since he arrived at Pride Park Stadium from Wigan Athletic in 2015, but he is determined to help him to develop his game further, along with Mitchell and Roos.

He said: “I’ve played against Scotty and it’s great to see him playing well, and I just want to keep helping him to improve, along with Mitch and Kelle, who looked very good this morning.

“I’ve still got to sit down with them individually to see what they want to get out of the season, their goals and what they feel they need to improve.

“It’s my job to make them better.”

Given, Lampard and Morris all enjoyed successful careers at the top level as players, but the 42-year-old admits that they will now have to prove themselves all over again.

“We are new to it, we have played for so many years but we want to park that to one side and we want to show the people that we are good coaches,” he said.

“We want to get the best out of the players and the team, and what you have done as a player just goes out of the window.”