Given joked that he had a sleepless night after hearing the Germany-Saudi Arabia result.

He said: ‘‘After hearing that Germany had scored eight goals I never slept that night, so I just hope they have scored all of the goals they are going to score in this tournament.

‘‘I haven’t seen the goals at all so I cannot really comment on who scored, or how the Saudis defended, or how the goalkeeper got on, but maybe they’ll be a little bit over-confident after that game.

‘‘We are confident going into the game and they obviously are going to be confident because they just won 8-0, so this is going to be an extremely tough game, probably the toughest in the group.

‘‘Obviously 8-0 was a bit of a shock but Germany are a top team and are always capable of doing that.

‘‘It proves they are one of the top teams in these finals because it takes a top team to score that many - it doesn’t matter who they are playing in the World Cup, if you win 8-0 you’ve got to be a quality team.

‘‘We’ve got to get something from the game because if we don’t it’s going to be very difficult leaving it to the last game.’’

Given was one of Ireland’s best performers on Saturday, and although he conceded one goal, he made one or two crucial saves.

He was thrilled to play in his first World Cup finals.

‘‘It was a very special moment,’’ he said. ‘‘It was one I dreamed of when I was growing up as a kid, but I never thought it would happen.

‘‘As a supporter, I remember watching the 1994 World Cup and they were great times, but to actually play in the finals, on the biggest stage in the world, was something really special.

‘‘I wasn’t thinking of the big picture, to be honest, when the match started, I was thinking more of the game and I was focused on the game, that was the most important thing.

‘‘There was no sense of relief at the end, I think we were all just happy that we actually played in the World Cup, and nobody can take that away from us now, no matter what happens.

‘‘Obviously after the game you could reflect then a bit more rather than when the whistle actually goes.

‘‘The support was brilliant. My brother and a couple of mates came out to the hotel the night before the game and he said ‘you will be surprised at how many fans you will see because in every train and bus station we’ve been it was all green’.

‘‘I think it definitely helped and it gave us a real lift - and they sang all the way through the game as well, and got right behind the team, which we needed.’’

Given is nursing a hip injury but hopes to be fit to face the Germans.

He explained: ‘‘I came for a corner in the second half and I haven’t actually seen the replay, but some of the lads told me that I hit Steve Staunton or one of their players when I was up in the air and I got a bang on my hip.

‘‘It is still quite sore and I’m hoping that it will settle down over the next couple of days.’’