Jeff Hendrick is an enigma. We know that there is a quality player in there somewhere, but he frustrates the hell out of Ireland supporters at times.
Just when you are about to give up on him altogether, he reminds you of the immense talent he possesses.
The Irishman has been a bit part player for Burnley this season, being almost entirely restricted to appearances off the bench. When he does play, he tends to be on the right of a four man midfield.
He was introduced in the 59th minute of today's game at Brighton, with his team chasing an equaliser. As the game creeped towards injury time, they were still trailing.
Hendrick would have the decisive say in the game. He started an attacking move on the halfway line before moving up the pitch. He got on the end of a Matěj Vydra pass before burying one in the bottom corner from 25 yards.
(The goal will play automatically when you press play below.)
What a week!
50 @FAIreland caps
100 @premierleague apps.
1 stunning equaliser!
Take a bow @JeffHendrick92 pic.twitter.com/maCPsITFaw— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) September 14, 2019
What a goal!
To be fair to Hendrick, he has improved in Ireland shirt over the course of 2019. Having been our best player at Euro 2016, he had a remarkable dip in form.
However, he has experience an uptick in fortunes since the appointment of Mick McCarthy. Much of that has to do with the position he has played, with McCarthy playing him in a more advanced role than we had seen under Martin O'Neill.
Now if only he could score a few goals like this at international level...
