To say it has been an incredible couple of seasons for Bristol City midfielder Tommy Doherty is an under-statement! Just two years ago the 23-year-old Bristolian was hampered by persistent knee and ankle problems and unable to show his true form. On his return to full fitness, Doherty found it hard to break back into Danny Wilson's first team and it looked increasingly likely that Doherty's future lay away from Ashton Gate. However, at the start of this season Tommy put in extra training in an attempt persuade Wilson he was worthy of his chance and once given a recall he has not looked back since. Doherty's performances this season have led to him being given the captain's armband at his hometown club and in May he led Bristol City out for their LDV Vans Trophy win at the Millennium Stadium. Last week Tommy made his international debut for Northern Ireland against Italy and last night he played an important role in Ireland's impressive goalless draw against Spain. Givemefootball's Mark Shail is the man with the questions.
Q:QUITE A WEEK FOR YOU. HOW DO YOU FEEL?
A:It's been great. To play for your country is one thing but to play against two sides like Italy and Spain in less than a week is a dream come true.
Q:YOU MUST HAVE BEEN DELIGHTED WITH LAST NIGHT'S RESULT?
A:It was a really spirited performance and to keep a clean sheet against a team of Spain's quality is a real confidence boost for everyone in the squad. We were hanging on a bit towards the end but I thought we deserved something from the game.
Q:I SAW THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GAME AND GOALKEEPER MAIK TAYLOR SEEMED TO HAVE A GREAT GAME?
A:His performance was outstanding and I think that spurred everyone else on. He kept keeping us in the game with great saves and by the end I think even the Spaniards were resigned to the fact that they weren't going to beat him.
Q:THE TWO GAMES MUST HAVE BEEN GREAT EXPERIENCES FOR YOU?
A:They were wonderful games to play in and although Italy didn't have their strongest side out they were still too good for us on the night. Of the two teams though I would have to say that I was more impressed with Spain. They had quality throughout the team and they did every thing right other than stick the ball in the net. I was delighted because at the end of the game I managed to swap shirts with Valeron, which was great because he is a player I have always admired.
Q:YOU ACTUALLY CAME CLOSEST TO SCORING FOR IRELAND DIDN'T YOU?
A:Yes I managed the win the ball on the edge of the box and get in a shot, but unfortunately Casillas stretched out one of his long arms and tipped the ball over the bar.
Q:WHAT DID SAMMY McILROY SAY TO THE PLAYERS AFTER THE GAME?
A:He said that he was very proud of the effort we all put in and felt that we deserved something out of the game. Now we can have a bit of a rest before we come up against Armenia, the Ukraine and Greece.
Q:THAT WAS YOUR LAST GAME OF A LONG SEASON, DID YOU LET YOUR HAIR DOWN LAST NIGHT?
A:To be honest I had done so much running during the game I was too tired to go out afterwards, so I just stayed in the hotel with a couple of my friends and had a few drinks in the bar.
Q:YOU'RE CURRENTLY OUT OF CONTRACT AT BRISTOL - YOU MUST BE IN A STRONG POSITION AFTER THE SEASON YOU HAVE HAD?
A:Things have gone pretty well for me so we'll just have to see what happens. Bristol City have told me that they would like me to stay so hopefully we can come to an agreement on a new contract.
