Shay Given was delighted to see Jack Grealish turn up in Dublin last night to collect his FAI Under-21 Player Of The Year award, and joked that his Aston Villa clubmate had "turned into a student" on a gap year with his self-imposed exile from the international set-up.
The talented Birmingham-born 19-year-old has been non-committal over his future with the national side despite playing through the grades at underage level.
After a string of non-appearances for Noel King's set-up though, Grealish, having played just a couple of under-21 qualifiers, collected his player-of-the-year gong accompanied by his family and girlfriend.
Jack Grealish named U21 player of the year - and he's turned up at the FAI awards to collect it
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) March 22, 2015
"Yeah, it's good to hear that he's stopped from taking his year out," veteran keeper Given joked at Ireland training today ahead of the senior side's vital Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland.
"I've never heard that before - he's turned into a student and taken a gap year. It's great that he's decided that he's had a nice rest now and he's going to come back in.
"It was nice to see his family there last night as well ... I think his gran from Kerry ... hopefully even being there last night and coming across and stuff and seeing how much support the nation has for him will make him make the right decision."
The Donegal man continued: "He's a class player. He obviously wants to play more time for Villa as well. But he's still very young.
"[Villa manager] Tim Sherwood's just letting him in gently to the team but I think that he has the right manager that will get the best out of him, and hopefully he has a big future ahead of him."
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