Andrews appreciates rapid rise

Republic bow to crown great year for Blackburn man

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 19th November 2008

Keith Andrews West Ham United Blackburn Rovers Premier League

Andrews: Meteoric rise

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Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews admits he has had to take stock of his meteoric rise this year.

Last season he was helping MK Dons to the League Two title after dropping down from the Championship, where he played for Wolves and Hull.

But in the space of a few months the 28-year-old has earned a move to Blackburn and established himself in the Premier League before being rewarded with international recognition.

Andrews caught the eye of Republic coach Giovanni Trapattoni in the B squad's game against Nottingham Forest last month and was immediately drafted into the senior party for the World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

And although the Dubliner did not feature against the Cypriots, he could make his international debut in Wednesday's friendly with Poland.

"It has all gone very quickly from the end of last season," said Andrews.

Fantastic move

"I was hopeful of a move and not quite sure where that was going to be, but to end up in the Premier League was obviously a fantastic move for me, and it has gone very well since.

"I sit down after games and reflect on them and how well I have been doing and how quickly things have been moving, and you do have to put things into perspective.

"But at the same time, it can be taken away in a flash, so you have got to be grateful and I am going to enjoy every minute of it."

Andrews has benefited from Trapattoni's decision to cast his net further, which has unearthed several players not previously involved with Republic's international setup.

The Italian coach has been criticised for not watching his players in action for their clubs but he insists he follows their progress on television and will make personal checks on Scotland-based duo Cillian Sheridan and James McCarthy, as well as Sheffield United defender Kyle Naughton.

Reputations

"He [Trapattoni] doesn't really care about reputations or what people have done or haven't done in their careers," added Andrews.

"I was playing in League Two last year and I have only been playing in the Premier League for a few months now, but it doesn't seem to bother him.

"He treats people as he finds them, and it's good for me."

The presence of Paul Ince helped block Andrews' path into the Wolves first team but Ince has since helped Andrews fulfil his potential.

The midfielder scored 12 league goals under Ince at MK Dons last season, and after being appointed Blackburn boss, Ince splashed out £1.3million to take Andrews with him to Ewood Park.

"It's fair to say he has been a massive influence, first and foremost as a player a few years ago, but more so since he came to MK Dons as manager and then bringing me to Blackburn," said Amdrews.

"I have a hell of a lot to be grateful to him for. I have learned a hell of a lot from him.

"People say I have made that step but last year, for example, I wasn't setting myself League Two standards every day in training.

"I was trying to be, if I am being honest, a top Championship player.

Massive influence

"Where Paul Ince would set standards for other players, he would probably set higher standards for me, so they were the standards I tried to live up to on a daily basis to try to kick forward because I wasn't happy with where I was in my career.

"It is obviously a big step, but it is one I feel I have taken in my stride and done quite well at so far."