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Jeff Hendrick is confident he can return to his best form for the Republic of Ireland as he prepares to win his 50th cap.<\/p>\nJeff Hendrick is confident he can return to his best form for the Republic of Ireland as he prepares to win his 50th cap.<\/p>\n
The Burnley midfielder could complete his half-century in Thursday night\u2019s Euro 2020 qualifier against Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium, having struggled in recent years to reproduce the form which so caught the eye at the Euro 2016 finals in France.<\/p>\n
However, Hendrick insists there are mitigating factors for his apparent difficulties and current boss Mick McCarthy has taken a significant step towards addressing them.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old said: \u201cI hear the outside noise and people saying they haven\u2019t seen me since the Euros. Everyone has their own opinion, but I did play a lot of games not in the position I played in at the Euros.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, I try to give everything for the country, but it\u2019s difficult when you\u2019re playing in a different position to what you\u2019re naturally good at, I\u2019d say.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to do my best for the team, but like I said, it was tough. I was playing on the right, at times I was nearly up front as well, so I was just trying to adapt and just do what I can for the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe manager said it to me when he came in. He said, \u2018I know you\u2019re a central midfielder\u2019, so I\u2019ve played there. I\u2019ve played there in the games under him and in training as well and I\u2019m enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hendrick made his Ireland debut as a substitute in a 2-0 friendly victory over Poland under then manager Giovanni Trapattoni in February 2013 and has since established himself as a regular under successor Martin O\u2019Neill and now McCarthy.<\/p>\n
That has been a dream for a man who was among the crowd as a 10-year-old when the Republic famously beat Holland 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road in September 2001.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI always say as a kid my dream was to pull on the Ireland jersey and play for my country and, all going well, hopefully I can get to 50. It is a big thing to me and to my family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve enjoyed it. To play nearly 50 times for your country has been brilliant. It has been tough as well at times \u2013 we have had some not-so-good games \u2013 but I try to remember all the positives from each game and the results that we\u2019ve got, and there have been some very memorable ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hendrick has time yet to significantly add to his tally, and team-mate David McGoldrick has tipped him to join the nation\u2019s 100 club.<\/p>\n
The Sheffield United striker said: \u201cI\u2019m not going to congratulate him because he\u2019ll get a big head, but it\u2019s a great achievement from a great player.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still quite young \u2013 he could get another 50, the way he plays. He\u2019s really important to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the meantime, the pair will attempt to build upon Ireland\u2019s positive start in Group D, which they lead with 10 points from their opening four fixtures.<\/p>\n
Hendrick said: \u201cIt\u2019s going to be tough (against Switzerland). We\u2019ve watched them and they are a good team. They have good players and they move the ball well.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they are coming here to play us and we\u2019ve done really well here. We want to keep that going and we want to play our game. As much as we need to stop their strengths, we need to do what we are good at.\u201d<\/p>\n