Ireland’s young Gunner plans to follow Brady’s route to top
The highly rated London-born midfielder has already played for the Irish U18s and U19s and last month stepped up another level to make his debut for Noel King’s U21 side in a friendly defeat away to Portugal.
In theory, the Arsenal midfielder — who made his senior debut for the club in the FA Cup against Leyton Orient this season — could still switch allegiance to his native England but Henderson insists that there is no going back now on his commitment to the green shirt.
“I’ve made my decision and I’ve chosen to represent the Republic of Ireland at senior level,” he says.
“I didn’t just one day decide, it was something I have thought about for a while. I wanted what was best for me and Ireland so this is what I decided.
“My mum’s side is from the south of Ireland and my dad’s side is from the north so that’s how I qualify. All my uncles and aunties live over there and they were all really happy about the decision. It was great to have their support and I’m sure they’ll be celebrating if and when I make my full debut.
“Obviously growing up in London I have followed both England and Ireland’s results but Ireland have always been who I have supported. I’ve always looked up to people like Robbie Keane, who is so technically gifted, and then there’s Aiden McGeady, who is good on the ball too. There’s Darron Gibson now doing well at Manchester United as well.
“But if there’s one player who I want to emulate it’s Liam Brady. He had such a great left foot and was such a wonderful player who is one of Ireland’s best ever. Working under him at Arsenal has been a privilege for me. He spoke to me about playing for Ireland when I represented them at youth level but he left me to my own decision at senior level.
“Possibly the Ireland team is ready for a new generation of young players to try and establish themselves in the senior set up. I’m hoping to make that step up quite soon but I just have to keep playing well for my club and hopefully that will get me there.
“I haven’t had any contact with people from the seniors yet, just the management, staff and players with the U21s.”
Henderson might be one for the future but two not for the immediate future are Irish internationals Leon Best and Paul Green, both of whom are facing long recoveries from serious injury.
Newcastle striker Best is to undergo an ankle operation on Friday and will miss the rest of the season.
The 24-year-old, who has scored six goals this season from 10 starts, had missed the Magpies’ last two games with the injury. Best consulted the club’s medical staff and it was decided he should have the operation.
But while the striker could come back into the reckoning for Ireland’s European Championship run-in in the autumn, even those games will come too soon for Derby County midfielder Green, who has been ruled out for up to nine months with a serious knee injury sustained during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Cardiff.
He has damaged cruciate and medial ligaments in his right knee and will undergo surgery next month before embarking upon a lengthy rehabilitation process.
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