REPUBLIC of Ireland’s Jeff Hendrick is hoping to tap into Keith Andrews’ deep well of international experience to become one of the leaders in Stephen Kenny’s team as they open their account against Bulgaria in the Nations League tonight in Sofia (7.45pm Irish time).
Hendrick, who signed a four-year deal with Newcastle United on a free transfer from Burnley last month, has had several conversations with Republic of Ireland assistant and former midfielder Andrews.
“I’ve talked to Keith a good few times, and what he can help me with, what I can improve on, what he likes already so it’s been good,” said the 28-year-old.
Hendrick also hailed the early impact of Damien Duff who is another member of Kenny’s backroom team.
“Both of them [Andrews and Duff] have played for Ireland and they are players we all have known and watched in the green jersey and they’ve been brilliant.
“The manager, the staff and the training sessions they’ve put on has helped us; they’ve given us information and what they are trying to do with us and what point they’re trying to get us to.
“They’ve all had a hand in that whether it is video meetings or on the training ground, so it’s been brilliant.”
Hendrick faces stiff competition for one of the midfield berths under Kenny.
The Euro 2016 star, who is unlikely to be in the frame to anchor the Irish midfield in Sofia, will be jockeying for one of the more forward midfield roles in the new manager’s line-up, with Harry Arter, Conor Hourihane, Robbie Brady, Jason Molumby and Alan Browne all in the mix.
“There are going to be changes in our style of play,” said Hendrick, who is hoping to win his 55th cap in Sofia.
“That’s what we’ve been working on. But it’s been two days, we’re going to try and implement everything we’ve been working on, we’ve watched videos and what we’ve been told and we’re going to try and bring that into the games. You might see glimpses of it, you might see a lot of it. We’ve new players and we’re going to have to gel together.”
With his career stalling somewhat at Burnley after a four-year stint there, Hendrick was delighted to sign for Steve Bruce’s Newcastle who he believes are capable of a top 10 finish in the English Premier League.
Asked if he was disappointed how he appeared to be sidelined in the closing stages of the season with Burnley, the Dubliner said: “I wouldn’t say disappointed. It was coming all year, really.
“It just happened with all the Covid stuff, we were all in contract negotiations and we couldn’t get to an agreement so when it came to the end of lockdown and we got back training we were out of contract.
“I said this recently and I’d stand by it: it was hard that we couldn’t finish the season off but we had to do the right thing for ourselves. If we would have got a bad injury we wouldn’t have been covered.
“I just wanted to know who had offers on the table and then it was up to me to make the right decision about where I wanted to go. I'm at a good age now and didn't want to sign somewhere where I wouldn't be happy.”
