McGivern, who was harshly sent off in his debut against Scotland last month, is ready to come up against a familiar face in Bratislava – Slovak boss Vladimir Weiss.

Weiss’ son, Vladimir junior, is McGivern’s team-mate at Eastlands and the banter has already been flying in the build-up to today’s clash.

“Vlad Weiss Jnr plays with me at Manchester City and his dad is the manager of Slovakia,” said the 18-year old.

“He is a cracking player on the right-wing and aside from the first-team players at City, I would say he is the best player I have played with.

“He scored a great goal in the FA Youth Cup final for us last year and he will be a big player for City in the future, I am sure of that.

“But he’s not the only link to City. One of our goalkeepers at City is Filip Mentel and his dad is the Slovakia goalkeeping coach too.

“So as you can imagine, there is a bit of banter flying around at the minute and at the club before I came away with Northern Ireland.

“Vlad is actually in Slovakia at the minute with their Under-21 squad, so maybe there will be a few more texts.

“After I got back to Manchester City following my red card on my debut against Scotland, Vlad was saying ‘If you’re in the next squad, make sure you are sent off’ and things like that.

“He was trying to get a laugh out of me and it is light-hearted though. We are good mates. And I certainly hope there will be no repeat of my red card, either here in Bratislava or again in my international career for as long as it lasts!”

McGivern could be forgiven for being caught up in a bubble after his shock call-up but at club level, things have changed beyond belief also.

Abu Dhabi United have ploughed mega millions into City and Brazilian superstar Robinho has joined from Real Madrid. But McGivern has no fears for his own future.

He said: “It has been a crazy week all things considered. When I went into the training ground and found out the club was being taken over by Abu Dhabi United.

“I was shocked first of all, then I was excited and surprised all rolled into one.

“Then all the lads starting talking about the new money coming into the club and we joked about now having the money to sign the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Robinho.

“Then, later on transfer deadline day, it was on the TV that we had bid for Berbatov and after that we signed Robinho.

“I really couldn’t believe it and I don’t know if I do even now. It’s just incredible.

“Of course the club have the spending power to bring in any player they want now but that doesn’t worry me.

“I have faith in my own ability and all this takeover will do is make all the lads knuckle down even more and try to improve as players.

“My future will be in my hands and if I do well, hopefully I can attract the interest of Mark Hughes.”