Immediately after Newcastle impressively deconstructed Aston Villa 3-0 at St James' Park on Saturday, Shay Given embarked on a mission. When last he was on the same ground as Peter Schmeichel, he missed out on acquiring his jersey because it was promised to charity. This time round, he made a beeline for the Dane as soon as the whistle went.

"I had Stan (Staunton of Villa) warned well in advance. Growing up in Donegal, Peter Schemichel was always a hero of mine. To me, he represented the complete goalkeeper. So I was like a kid on Christmas Day - he gave me his jersey, his gloves, all signed to myself, so I turned into a supporter there for a minute."

At 25, Given has somehow managed to retain a precious element of perspective and humility despite the hype-driven environment of the Premiership. Although established as the most gifted goalkeeper in the English game, the Lifford man sometimes looks on with the eyes of a fan.

With anticipation of the weekend's meeting with Iran becoming feverish, Given's previous World Cup experiences have preyed on his mind. He speaks of his participation in the 1997 play-off heartbreak against Belgium as naturally as he recalls the mayhem back in Lifford after Packie Bonnar's imortal 1990 penalty save against Romania.

"It was crazy - as if Ireland had actually won the World Cup. But the feeling that created around the country was unforgettable. Playing for Ireland is something that would have seemed unbelievable when you were a kid. So to have the chance to actually go to the World Cup is beyond that, just something really special."

Given's tear-streaked face became an evocative closing image of Mick McCarthy's first ill-fated play-off experience. The goalkeeper was injured for the two-leg loss to Turkey in 1999 but is back in the Irish colours as an authoritative first choice.

"I think we have a good balance in the squad now and have a marvellous opportunity to go through to the finals. We know this is going to be a tough match, Iran are a decent side. It's a question of approaching it in a totally professional way, exactly the same as we did against Holland," he says.

Given has been beaten just once in Ireland's last five games, the lone score something of a sucker punch against Andorra. His club form for Newcastle, where he is thriving under Bobby Robson, has been reflected in his international composure.

"I suppose Ireland sometimes haven't done as well against the not-so-great nations as we might have. Probably having Andorra score against us at Lansdowne Road was a bit of a shock. But overall, it is going very well, our record is excellent.

"You know, a keeper is only as good as the team he plays behind. I think we have a really good squad. Maybe it could be a bit bigger in that when we suffer injuries, we are spread a bit thin."

Given firmly believes goalkeepers mature slowly and he thinks his peak is somewhere down the line. The arrival of Fabien Barthez has seen him relieved of the tag of the Premiership's smallest goalkeeper (Given is six foot) and also reinforced the mantra that a good enough player is a big enough player.

"A lot was made of my size when I moved to Newcastle about if I could make it but I never felt it was a problem. I am constantly trying to improve aspects of my game but the height was never an issue.

"And Fabien is a keeper who has achieved everything in the game, and I suppose to one day be compared to him would be nice, but it's a bit down the road yet."

But patience is one of Given's many assets. Not so long ago, Given scrutinised the game's best on Match of the Day. Now, he lines out against them but still seeks the tips and hints to propel him.

He may have become the real thing but remains a fan of the game.