Shay Given rubbishes reports he "demanded" to play for Republic of Ireland

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has rejected rumours that he demanded to be included in the Republic of Ireland squad.

The 38-year-old was named in the 27-man party by manager Martin O'Neill, despite his lack of first-team football at Villa Park.

Ireland will take on Oman in a friendly in Dublin tomorrow before heading to Tbilisi to play Georgia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday.

"There are no guarantees," The Express quotes Given as saying. "There are no demands from me. I read somewhere that I demanded to play - that's all rubbish.

"I am here to try help the group and try to get us qualified. We have some very tough games coming up. Hopefully I can do that."

Given, who has 125 senior international caps to his name, previously suggested that he was considering international retirement.