City forward enjoyed Wales contribution in Dublin
....Craig Bellamy is adamant he still has much to offer Wales as they look to make the step to qualifying for major championships.
The Manchester City forward featured for just over an hour on Friday evening before giving way to goalscorer Rob Earnshaw as Gary Speed's men played out a 2-0 Carling Nations Cup win over Northern Ireland.
The 31-year-old spent last season on loan with hometown club Cardiff and is facing an uncertain future at Eastlands, and has also been an increasingly infrequent feature of the national team in recent years.
But he told Sky Sports HD1: "It was important for me to be here, I still have something to offer and in next few years, I want to be able to look back and feel proud."
"It's good, it was important that we got the win. It was Gary's first win as manager and it was important for the younger players as well.
"I still have something to offer and in next few years, I want to be able to look back and feel proud. "
"When Mark Hughes was in charge it took us a while to get going, we went something like 12 games without winning but he got the team in with a good chance of qualifying for major tournaments.
"It's about, in the next four or five years, these boys being able to lead the country to major championships."
Captain Aaron Ramsey scored the first goal and said: "It's always nice when you score for your country so I'm pleased."
The Arsenal midfielder added: "We played some good football, we showed we can create chances and it was important to get the win. We were sloppy in the final stages but we're happy we got the right result.
"We've been together and had a good week's preparation, it's good to get to play with each other more often."
Shay Given is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League - Tottenham's Robbie Keane
The Irish international has endured a difficult year at Manchester City and his Ireland team-mate maintains a move away is in his best interests
Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has lauded fellow Republic of Ireland team-mate Shay Given as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Given failed to make an appearance for Manchester City in the Premier League this year, mainly because of injuries and stiff competition from first-choice Joe Hart.
Speculation has linked the 35-year-old with a move away from Eastlands, with Celtic thought to be interested, but Keane believes the club who ends up with Given will be getting a high-quality goalkeeper.
Keane told Sky Sports News: "I still feel he is the best keeper in the Premier League.
"I'm biased because I have worked with Shay and he is a good friend but, not only that, he is a top-class goalkeeper.
"It has been a frustrating season for him and he has come out and said that.
"But I am sure in the summer, after getting these games behind him, he'll look forward to a break and he'll certainly get a club for next season, no doubt about that.
"Whoever does buy him would be getting a world-class goalkeeper and someone who is great to have around the dressing room as well."
wag of the day
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is predicting their Champions League final against Barcelona will be a classic, saying it could be the best final in a decade - and that his side will win it. the Sun
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has joined the ever-lengthening list of managers connected with the vacant Chelsea job by refusing to confirm whether he will stay at the Nou Camp beyond the end of the season. Daily Star
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes it is time for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to join the legends of the game by putting in a match-winning performance against Barcelona. Daily Mail
If the game goes to penalties, both keepers will need to improve on their recent records. Barcelona's Victor Valdes and Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar have been beaten nine times out of the last 10 they have faced. (Guardian)
Chelsea have made a fresh move for Santos striker Neymar. The Blues missed out on the 19-year-old Brazilian last summer but have upped their rejected £19m bid to £23m. the Sun
Manchester United's 22-year-old striker Javier Hernandez would consider a move to Real Madrid, says his agent. Metro
Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea, 20, should join Manchester United, says team-mate and former United striker Diego Forlan. Metro
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to sign Lille striker Gervinho, 24, this summer but faces competition from Liverpool. the Guardian
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, 23, says he is honoured to be linked with Arsenal but wants to stay and fight for his place at the Spanish club. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, the Gunners have begun their search for a dominant centre-half with an £8m bid for Blackburn's Chris Samba, 27. Daily Mail
Everton have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Bayern Munich and Germany striker Miroslav Klose. The 32-year-old has scored more goals than anyone else at the World Cup finals. Daily Mail
Newcastle want to sign West Ham striker Demba Ba, 26, on a free transfer. North-east rivals Sunderland are also interested in the Senegalese forward, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave after the Hammers were relegated. Daily Mirror
Former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is set to become the new boss of West Ham. (Various)
Midfielder Gareth Bale wants Harry Redknapp to stay at Tottenham amid reported interest from managerless Chelsea. The Mirror
Turkey boss Guus Hiddink has admitted he would consider a move back to Stamford Bridge to take over as Chelsea manager. Daily Telegraph
Newcastle are ready to offer defender Jose Enrique a lucrative new deal to keep him at St James' Park. The Guardian
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has conceded that if Sir Alex Ferguson wins a third Champions League title it will be a "fantastic achivement". However, he also points out that former Reds boss Bob Paisley won three European Cups in six attempts, whereas it has taken Ferguson 17 campaigns to win two...so far.Daily Mail
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