As things stand, you'd have to think that when Euro 2016 finally rolls around, Darren Randolph will be Ireland's starting goalkeeper. It's a remarkable situation for a player who was very much an afterthought when it came to the Ireland squad for a number of years.
He was that chap from Charlton who'd be called up as third choice whenever one of Given, Forde or Westwood were unavailable. At the start of the qualifying campaign, if someone had said he'd be Ireland's incumbent goalkeeper, you would have thought something was severely wrong. However, his performances against Germany and Bosnia, coupled with his move to West Ham mean, that we head to France with our number one spot the least of our worries.
But that's not to say, Martin O'Neill doesn't have a decision to make. If we were going by form, it's a straight fight between Randolph and Rob Elliot. But there's still one man who may have something to say about that.
Up until the injury he sustained against Germany, Shay Given was looking likely to be Ireland's number one. That injury has rather messed up those plans however. Randolph has looked unshakeable, Given has yet to play since that night in October and, as things stand he's looking more likely to sneak into the squad as the 'Alan Kelly, squad man' figure.
His decision to join Stoke on a two year deal during the summer was a bit of a head scratcher. He could have went to Middlesbrough to be number one but instead he chose to return to the Premier League to be Jack Butland's understudy. And now it would seem that situation, coupled with the fact that he's losing/lost his grip on the Ireland jersey, has made him think twice about sticking around on the Stoke bench.
Speaking to the Stoke Sentinel, Given conceded that he may have to look for a loan move over the next couple of weeks if he wants to secure his place in Martin O'Neill's squad.
The injury has been longer than I would have liked, but in the last few days I've got the gloves back on.
I've still got the European Championships to get right for and hopefully play some games for Stoke, but that's not going to be easy because Jack has probably been our player of the season so far.
I've got to get match fit first, which will probably take a few weeks, then take it from there. The summer is massive for me and it's important I get match fit and play a few games to show them I'm ready to get on the plane to France.
It might be here or it might be on loan for a couple of months. The important thing is to make sure the knee is right and then maybe have a chat with the gaffer.
The transfer deadline may have closed on February 1st but the Football League's emergency loan window reopens next week. That would allow Given to drop down to the Championship, much like he did with his loan to Middlesbrough from Aston Villa, in search of regular first team football before the end of the season.
At 39, and with a year and a half remaining on his Stoke deal, it would seem like a no brainer for Given to head out on loan in an effort to force his way back into Martin O'Neill's plans. It certainly worked out well when he headed for Middlesbrough in 2013 and if he can get a similar move this time around, things may be far from certain when it comes to Ireland's starting goalkeeper on June 13th.
