Jeff never lost his focus over court case, insists Dyche
SEAN DYCHE believes Jeff Hendrick is primed to take his status as a Premier League star to the next level after Burnley made a sensational start to the new season with a 3-2 win over champions Chelsea.
The Clarets manager is adamant that the Ireland international was not distracted over the past 12 months, despite a trial for violent disorder hanging over him.
Hendrick was found not guilty last month and his international boss, Martin O’Neill, felt that the Dubliner was affected by the legal proceedings.
‘Now that it’s over and you can maybe mention it, it may well have done,’ O’Neill said after the verdict. ‘I don’t think you want things hanging around you like that. They can be disconcerted. It’s good it’s cleared now and he can get his mind totally fixed and ready.’
Dyche, however, stressed that the 25year-old remained relaxed throughout the process because his conscience was clear.
‘He seemed pretty focused last year. I think he knew that he was innocent all along so it seems to me that he was pretty focused. I never thought that that had anything on his mind, really. I think he was just getting on with playing,’ Dyche insisted.
Hendrick starred in yesterday’s dramatic victory at Stamford Bridge and his club boss reckons he is ready to build on this platform since joining from Derby County in a club record £10.5 million transfer 12 months ago.
‘He’s a season wiser. When you come into the Premier League it’s tough anyway but when you’re coming in as newcomer and to then earn your spurs over the season,’ Dyche added. ‘He played a lot of football last season so I think it’s what he’s learned and moving it into his own performances, helping the team performance. I think he’s in a really good part of his career at the moment and I want him to continue developing as he has done.’
O’Neill names his Ireland squad for next month’s World Cup double header with Georgia and Serbia in Dublin tomorrow.