JEFF HENDRICK HAS made a very good impression in a short space of time, and there are few who would doubt his ability to step up to the mark against Scotland this evening.
Injuries to Ireland’s regular midfield duo James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan have left Martin O’Neill with a bit of a selection conundrum but if he’s picking the team based on form alone, Hendrick’s inclusion is a no-brainer.
Still only 22, the midfielder looks more and more assured every time he pulls on the green jersey and after struggling with injury during the early part of the season, he has emerged as one of the main men in Derby County’s promotion push.
His first competitive start, against Gibraltar last month, was only his eighth senior cap. O’Neill gave him 90 minutes in a relatively risk-free environment as he worked his way back to full fitness, a move which paid dividends four days later in Gelsenkirchen.
With Ireland’s last roll of the dice, Wes Hoolahan overhit his cross into the German penalty area. Hendrick, on as a second-half sub, not only had the legs to reposition himself under the dropping ball but also the composure and maturity to steer a pass back into the danger area while the German defenders were still regrouping.
It was a lottery ticket, but it was one which John O’Shea cashed in.
Modesty took over when he met the media afterwards, and he shied away from the plaudits for his assist, but Rams team-mate Richard Keogh says it can only help a player who is growing with every game.
Jeff’s got all of the attributes to be a top player and I think he’s definitely matured as a player. I’ve noticed that and I still think there’s more to come from him.
“At the moment he’s in great form. He’s finding out what he needs to do in his game to become what he needs to become.
“I think there’s a lot more to come from him. It’s great for us and great for the country that we’ve got so many good players in good form and it can only bode well for the future.”
Keogh added: “When you get a result like that and you set up a goal like that, you come back with a spring in your step, of course you do. Maybe he has taken it on.”
That has certainly seemed to be the case. In the four weeks since, Hendrick has started six games for Derby and scored three times to take his total to five goals in all competitions.
His finish in the 5-2 league cup win over Fulham wasn’t the prettiest but he showed great intelligence to join the attack, find space between defenders, and round off a great team move.
His other attributes — a keen eye for goal and neat link play — were on show in his double against Wolves last weekend, a 5-0 win that saw Steve McClaren’s side move back to the top of the Championship.
With Wes Hoolahan also out injured, and O’Neill likely to go with Robbie Keane as the lone striker in a 4-5-1, the stage is set for Hendrick to take the next step in his international rise.
– First published 00.01
