MX23RW : Friday, December 13 12:46:26| >> :60:2089:2089:

Wayne Hennessey pays tribute to Neville Southall after breaking Wales record

Wayne Hennessey worried he risks Neville Southall wrath after breaking record

Wayne Hennessey fears he has upset his hero Neville Southall after breaking his Wales clean sheets record.

Hennessey managed a 35th shutout for Wales as the Dragons opened their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Finland in Helsinki on Thursday.

That took him one past former Everton star Neville Southall, who kept goal for Wales between 1982 and 1997 and was widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world at the peak of his career.

"Growing up as a youngster I was watching Nev playing for Everton and Wales and he was my hero," Hennessey said.

"I always wanted to be like him. It has taken a long time to reach his record, but I've finally made it.

"Hopefully there are more to come. It is an amazing achievement and I'm really happy.

"I don't think he (Southall) will be too happy, but I am really happy."

Hennessey achieved the record in 90 international appearances, while Southall set his mark from 92 games.

The 33-year-old from Anglesey has retained the faith of Wales manager Ryan Giggs despite losing his first-team place at Crystal Palace.

Hennessey made only three Premier League appearances last season as Vicente Guaita established himself as the Eagles' number one.

"It is difficult when you aren't playing regularly at your club," Hennessey said.

"You have to keep yourself fit, be good in training and be ready for a call up whenever, because you never know when a goalkeeper might get injured.

"At the moment I just need to keep working hard at Palace and stay fit. Then it's just a case of hoping my opportunity comes.

"If I keep playing well for Wales then hopefully I can keep the shirt.

"We've also got Danny Ward and Adam Davies and they are both fantastic keepers who keep me on my toes."

ID:413084: cacheID:413084:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3623:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wales' Ethan Ampadu celebrates after the match in November 2019
Read Next:
Ryan Giggs: 'Ethan Ampadu faces big call over Chelsea future'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!