Jeff Hendrick’s decision to go at Georgia pays dividends

It's safe to say that football is becoming increasingly more technical and analytical by the minute these days and for Jeff Hendrick it's no different.

The Derby County midfielder says watching back videos of his performance against Gibraltar made the difference in last night’s win against Georgia at Lansdowne Road.

The 23-year-old made a bursting run from the left wing, skipping by three Georgia players to create the goal for Jonathan Walters which proved to be the difference in Ireland picking up a crucial three points.

And that freedom in his play is exactly what Hendrick felt he needed to add to his game after Friday’s 4-0 win in Faro.

“I gave the ball away three times before that by going backwards or sideways. I remember doing a bit of work yesterday on positive running. I was looking at clips from the Gibraltar game and said next time I get the ball I’ll just go at them.

"Obviously it worked out and we got the goal, but the main thing was the work-rate from the lads all night,” he said.

Playing in a midfield three alongside Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy, Hendrick was the one with most freedom to get forward, at one stage almost slipping Robbie Keane through with a superb pass.

“We looked to try and just get on the ball in the final third, it’s tight and you can try and do different things but whenever I can get the chance, I tried to get in there.”

The Dubliner has been becoming an increasingly constant figure in Martin O’Neill’s sides over the last few games and will be a dead-cert to start against Germany next month as Whelan misses out after picking up his third yellow card of the qualifying campaign.

If O’Neill decides to utilise another system of three in the middle for the clash with the world champions Hendrick will be required to do a similar job. That job at times last night left Robbie Keane isolated as the Derby midfielder pulled wide to offer some width.

However, the introduction of Shane Long offered Ireland somewhat more energy in the final third and he could very well be expected to start ahead of Keane next month.

Hendrick accepts that that's part of the role he plays though and was quick to praise Seamus Coleman for his help in attacking down the right.

“Obviously with the formation we were playing we have to get out to the side. Seamus goes down the right with that pace, but I have to give them an option going down the side as well.”