Starstruck Hendrick lives the dream

Jeff Hendrick is still coming to terms with rubbing shoulders with the Republic of Ireland's biggest stars.The 21-year-old Derby midfielder has established himself firmly in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad just a few months after his elevation from the Under-21s, and could be handed a World Cup qualifier debut against the Faroe Islands on Friday night. However, he is yet to fully comprehend just how he has gone from watching Robbie Keane and his team-mates on television to playing in the same team."For the 2002 World Cup, I was only nine or 10 and I had my face painted watching him [Keane] scoring goals, and now to be involved in the squad with him is great," Hendrick said."I was watching in the pub - I wasn't drinking, though!"Last October, I was with the Under-21s and I was watching them all playing games, and then when I was brought into the squad, it was unreal. It's great. As a kid, it's what you dream of, just being involved."Hendrick's rise has been little short of meteoric with Trapattoni having spotted something in him as he trawled for a new generation of Ireland players.He made his third appearance as a substitute in Sunday's 4-0 friendly victory over Georgia, and having set up Wes Hoolahan for a goal on his debut against Poland in February, he did the same for Keane at the weekend.He said: "I'm happy, really, if I just don't mess up on the pitch. I'm glad to set the lads up for a goal. If I am not scoring, I like to set someone else up."Hendrick has stepped on to the international stage as if to the manner born, and has certainly not looked out of place in a green shirt. However, he modestly plays down his contribution to date.When it was suggested to him that he looked like he belonged on the pitch against the Georgians, he said: "I don't know about that. I am just happy to get on the pitch, as I said, and try to get as many minutes as possible and learn as many things as I can to improve my own game."

Source: PA