It has been a meteoric rise for Wayne Hennessey in 2007 as he has come from relative obscurity to international recognition. The Wolves' shot-stopper first hit the headlines as Stockport kept an historic nine consecutive clean sheets along with nine consecutive victories last season and Hennessey was he bedrock behind that sensational run. He proceeded to make his first team debut for Wolves and has now established himself as Wales' number one goalkeeper and he gave a man of the match performance in their recent 1-0 win in Bulgaria. A shoulder injury 12 months ago was dealt with in unusual fashion with a spell of rock climbing and it has been onwards and upwards ever since for the imposing youngster. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson caught up with Hennessey ahead of Wales' crunch European Championship clash with Germany.
Q:WHAT HAS JOHN TOSHACK SAID TO YOU REGARDING SELECTION?
A:Toshack said to us all that we need to be playing games. Danny Coyne is as well so it's between him and me. Lewis Price isn't playing at Derby at the moment. Obviously I'm pleased that the manager is picking me at the moment.
Q:YOUR CAREER HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF THIS YEAR HASN'T IT?
A:The last few days and weeks have just got better and better. I was third choice at Wolves this time last year. I never thought this was going to be happening. I used to go out with my mates and moan because I wasn't involved around the first team. Last year I was on the bench sometimes for the reserves. Now to be playing for Wolves and now here is tremendous. It's nice that I'm starting with my team and hopefully I can claim the number one jersey here now.
Q:WHAT ABOUT THE GERMANY GAME?
A:This is the biggest game of my life; it's going to be more competitive than the game against the Czech Republic. We know what we are going to get out of the Germans. They are a decent height so set pieces will trouble us. We'll check the video and see what they've got.
Q:YOU HAVE STARTED WITH CLEAN SHEETS AGAIN – JUST LIKE YOU DID AT STOCKPORT – THIS IS BECOMING A HABIT ISN'T IT?
A:It's been tremendous so far. I haven't let in a goal so far so hopefully it can go on until Saturday. It will be a tough game. If I do let a goal in then hopefully our heads won't drop. I have to be on my toes against Germany. I thought I played really well in Bulgaria and it was good to see Freddy (Eastwood) score and it was good for Wolves to see two of our players come out on top.
Q:IT MUST BE ENJOYABLE TO TEST YOURSELF AGAINST SOME HIGH CALIBRE OPPOSITION?
A:Jens Lehmann will be starting in goal so it will be good to see another decent keeper. Against the Czech Republic there was Petr Cech and after the match he said I had a great game. For a man of his calibre to come up and say 'well done' was great. He gave me his shirt and I've framed it - it's on my wall at home. It's my best memento so far.
Q:NEVILLE SOUTHALL WAS QUOTED RECENTLY AS SAYING YOU COULD BECOME 'THE NEW NEVILLE SOUTHALL' – ANOTHER GREAT COMPLIMENT?
A:Neville Southall was my idol. I used to support Everton and when he left I didn't bother to follow them any more. I just used to love Nev and wanted to be like him. It was tremendous of him to say it. I think he's got the most caps of any Wales player - I hope I can beat him. I'm starting young!
Q:WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE MANCHESTER CITY AS A YOUNGSTER?
A:They offered Kasper Schmeichel three years and they only offered me one. If I'd gone there I wouldn't even have been playing and in a year's time it would have been hard to get a contract somewhere else. He was a little bit older than me and they obviously thought he was better than me. He's done really well as it's not easy to play in the Premiership.
Q:IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE WALES SIDE TO HAVE THE SAME GOALKEEPER IN FOR EVERY MATCH?
A:I think the players would prefer to have one keeper so they can get used to him. They know his strengths and weaknesses. You have to shout at defenders, you have to let them know and you have to give as much information as you can to people to help them.
