Robson confirms Givens transfer refusal - January 17, 2001
Newcastle United boss Bobby Robson confirmed yesterday that Shay Givens request for a transfer was turned down when he handed him an official club letter outlining their decision.
Given requested a transfer after losing his place to Steve Harper in the Newcastle first-team even though he has been on outstanding form this season.
Robson has now called on Shay to act professionally and do the job that he getting very well paid for.
Robson said: "Shay has made a request and that request has been denied.
"I now expect him to get on with the job and serve this club under the terms of the contract he signed earlier in the season."
"He (Shay) could still leave. If his circumstances do not change and he is second choice for a long, long time then we will look at his situation again at a later stage.
"If Shay is still in the reserves in a year's time then fair enough. But at the moment we're still in the FA Cup, we're still in a good position in the league and we have to keep a tight ship.
"For now, he will have to like it or lump it."