NEWCASTLE United manager Sir Bobby Robson last night paid Shay Given a massive compliment by labelling him one of the best goalkeepers he has had under his command.

Robson was able to call on greats like Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence during his eight-year reign as England boss.

But after witnessing an awe-inspiring performance from Republic of Ireland star Given in United's vital 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday, Robson said: "Shay is right up there with the best I've worked with - he's equal to anyone in the League.''

Given made three outstanding stops, the pick of which was an instinctive save from Franck Queudrue's close-range header, and Robson added: "Shay was superb. He's fantastic in training and what you see on match day you see in training. No-one works better.

"He made the save of the match in our home game with Southampton the other week, and had he not made that save it would have been 1-1 and the knives would have been out.

"His save was just as important as Alan Shearer scoring the goal which beat Southampton.

"On Saturday, Shay made a vital save from Queudrue just before half-time.

"I don't think he could have had a second to see it and react. If they'd scored then and made it 1-1, who knows what would have happened?

"Shay has stature and commands his box; he gives a lot of confidence to his back four.

"He has an ability to make match-winning saves.''

Given said: "It was great to keep another clean sheet. We didn't start well - they were battering us early in the game - and it could have been a different story, but those saves helped.

"In the second half they were throwing the kitchen sink at us, but we got blocks in as if our lives depended on it.

"The confidence is getting better, not so it is sky high, but we are getting there.

"We have had some bad results and a few of the lads were down, but once we got that first victory I felt we would move on and we have done that.

"It was important we built on the win over Southampton and won the next game. Now we are looking to move into the top half of the table.

"The gaffer is quoted as saying you don't become a bad team overnight and we know we should have done better so far this season.

"But we came third last season and you can't lose all that overnight. We all still believe we can get back up there.''

England Under-21 striker Shola Ameobi, standing in for the injured Craig Bellamy, was Newcastle's match-winner and Given added: "I'm pleased for Shola - we all are.

"People have given him a bit of stick, but you should see some of the things he does in training and his finishing.

"He's a top-class player and hopefully this will give him a lift because we don't know the full story with Craig and his knee.''

Robson said: "Shola is a different type of player to Bellamy, but we'll sttick with him.

"When Alan Shearer is out, Shola is the player we have to replace him.

"Whether he's the right foil for Alan, we'll have to see, but he will improve.''

Robson also saluted the performance of centre-back Titus Bramble, who he bought from Ipswich for £5m in the summer of last year.

"He's still only a kid really and he can still play for the Under-21s,'' said Robson.

"They didn't take him to Turkey recently, but that wouldn't have been my selection.

"He's had a string of first-class games and I'm very pleased that he's doing so well. He's under pressure all the time but he keeps calm. He has two great feet.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle are stepping up their interest in Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert with a view to completing a New Year deal for the Dutchman.

Northern Echo SPORT revealed in July that Kluivert had been indentified as a long-term replacement for Shearer, who will retire at the end of next season.

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