Hennessey would back Boaz

Wolves keeper welcomes Wales rivalry with pal Myhill

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 1st September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hennessey would back Boaz

Hennessey: No hard feelings

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Wayne Hennessey claims there will be no hard feelings if Boaz Myhill is handed the Wales goalkeeper's jersey instead this week.

Neither is currently first choice at their club, with Hennessey on the bench at Wolves while Myhill is yet to make his West Brom debut following his summer switch from Hull.

Wales manager John Toshack therefore has a difficult decision for Friday's opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro, when Wales begin their latest attempt to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1958.

Myhill has mainly played second fiddle to Hennessey since making his international debut in March 2008, winning nine caps to Hennessey's 26.

Both have featured in Wales' last three games so Toshack could go for the man who impresses most in training but Hennessey, 23, insists there is a friendly rivalry.

"Neither of us are playing week-in, week-out, so it will be interesting," he said.

"But we keep training and probably the gaffer will pull one of us and tell us we are playing. Hopefully whoever it is will play well.

Good mate

"He [Myhill] is probably one of my best friends. He is a good mate to me so if he comes in and does well I'm pleased for him.

"At the end of the day, whoever plays, I still want Wales to qualify. As long as he's doing a good job, I'm happy."

Hennessey lost his place at Wolves to Marcus Hahnemann last November and was linked with other clubs over the summer.

But after speaking to manager Mick McCarthy about his future, he signed a new five-year deal at Molineux and realises that time is on his side despite having made over 100 league appearances.

"Big decisions (were made) behind closed doors - was I going to play or wasn't I?" he explained. "I had two years left, so I needed to know.

"At the moment Marcus is doing well - fair play to him - but you never know what is around the corner.

"I am nowhere near my prime yet. Goalkeepers hit their prime around 30 and I'm only 23. I'm still a youngster."