Hendrick keen to prove he can be key man

It was against Georgia at Lansdowne Road in 2015 that Jeff Hendrick announced himself on the Irish scene, but his mission in tonight’s rematch is to restore rather than enhance his reputation. Hendrick’s deft footwork on the left allowed him to scamper to the end-line and deliver a cross for Jon Walters to prod in the solitary goal, which propelled Ireland towards securing third spot and a Euro play-off.

The midfielder was then a 23-year-old Championship regular for Derby County, newly installed as a vital cog in Martin O’Neill’s set-up. Even better was to follow at the finals in France, his displays in particular against Italy and France copper- fastening his status out as one of the few elements safe from being dropped.