Friday 10 June 2016 13:31, UK
Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given says he hopes to draw on a wealth of experience at the Euro 2016 finals in France.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper last week became the nation's longest-serving international when the 134th senior appearance of his career against Belarus extended the gap between his debut and his most recent game to 20 years and 65 days, eclipsing Johnny Giles' record in the process.
Personal milestones are incidental for the Stoke man as he attempts to force his way into Martin O'Neill's team for Monday's opening Euro 2016 fixture against Sweden, although he admits he could never have envisaged representing his country for so long when he made his bow against Russia in March 1996.
Given said: "No, probably not, no. Back in '96, I was delighted to play one game for Ireland, so to think I am still here 20 years later is phenomenal.
"It's great to be here, great to be part of another major tournament, of course, and hopefully it's a successful one. I don't know if it's good or bad when you're the oldest player involved - I never set out to do that. I'm just delighted to be here, to be honest."
A veteran of the 2002 World Cup campaign in the Far East and Euro 2012 in Poland, Given has been a central character for Ireland for two decades and has seen everything the game can throw at a player at both club and international level.
The Ireland squad is one of the oldest at the tournament - Given, Robbie Keane and John O'Shea have 388 caps between them - but the side's vastly-experienced keeper is not convinced that is necessarily a bad thing.
He said: "I'm a good man to ask, I'm the oldest, aren't I? No, I don't know. We have got a good experienced squad and we have got some young players coming through as well.
"We might be the oldest squad at the tournament, but a few of us have been here before and I think that will stand us in good stead."
