I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve
HENDO HITS BACKS AT CRITIC KEANE
JORDAN HENDERSON has told critic Roy Keane he can make a song and dance for England once the Euros start.
Keane savaged Henderson for being included in the Three Lions squad for the Euros, having missed the last three months of the season following a groin operation.
The outspoken Keane labelled the Liverpool captain a ‘cheerleader’ and questioned if he was only being taken along for the ride because he does card tricks, sing songs and arranges quizzes.
But Henderson has laughed off Keane’s outburst and told him he couldn’t care less what he thinks.
The midfield ace reckons his former Sunderland boss doesn’t know the full facts – and that if given the chance, he can have a huge impact for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Henderson said: “He can say whatever he wants about me. I found it quite funny, actually.
“So, yeah, listen, we know a little bit more detail, I know more detail and so does the manager, ■ which Roy may not. But in terms of stuff like that, everyone’s going to have an opinion, everybody’s going to think they know better than everybody else.
“But for me, all my focus has been on the last couple of months, working as hard as I possibly can to be in a position where I can contribute in the tournament – and I’m very thankful I’m in that position now.” Henderson’s influence on the squad is considered invaluable by Southgate, which is why he’s taken a gamble on one of his most experienced stars.
But Henderson insists he isn’t just there to keep everyone on the straight-and-narrow – and is determined to make his biggest impact on the pitch. He said: “The card tricks he was on about – I’ve got a few of them up me sleeve! “But listen, as a player you want to play and I’m not coming here just to be around the camp, like Roy was saying. I want to come here and I want to contribute in the games.
“How much of that is not really down to me, it’s up to the manager to make a decision.
“But whenever I’m called upon, I’ll be ready and hopefully I can be a big contribution to this tournament and our success going forward.”
Henderson is desperate to be involved in Sunday’s Group D opener against Croatia, but less desperate to take a penalty – after missing one in last weekend’s warm-up win over Romania.
He added: “It looks like I have to maybe just leave it to people that can actually score them. It’s probably the best option.”
“I felt a bit sorry for Dom (Calvertlewin), you know, because he probably could have had another goal.
“But, yeah, thankful that he gave us the opportunity to take it and, to be honest, the two penalty-takers weren’t on the pitch so I asked the question, but unfortunately it didn’t turn out too well.”