MX23RW : Sunday, December 29 00:47:37| >> :600:909321:909321:

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
Cardinals
@
Rams
6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
@
Saints
6pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
9.25pm
Cowboys
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


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!