Doherty tips Wolves teammate Hodge to overcome size to scale Ireland heights
Matt Doherty feels it’s inevitable that his Wolves teammate Joe Hodge will join him in the Ireland senior squad.
This failed Euro 2024 qualifying campaign has highlighted the impact of midfield deficiencies as Ireland have generally been dominated in central areas.
Hodge has long been considered an heir in that department but remains Ireland U21 captain while his chances at Molineux have dried up.
Last year, he made his Premier League debut at Chelsea, one of 10 first-team appearances he made after joining from Manchester City.
Hamstring trouble at the start of the season restricted his impressions on new boss Gary O’Neil to a single League Cup outing but he’s injury-free now and could earn a debut call-up for next month’s double-header against Netherlands and New Zealand.
Those will be the final games at the helm for Stephen Kenny, who has long admired the diminutive playmaker’s ability without promoting him to his squad.
Ireland defender Doherty is back at Wolves this season after spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Atlético Madrid.
“I’ve been impressed with Hodgey so far, with what I’ve seen,” the 31-year-old told the Express and Star.
“He’s obviously not the biggest, most dominating player in the world, but he makes up for it with how hard he works. He’s nice and tidy on the ball.
“When he was playing last year, there was a chance he would be called up to the Ireland senior squad, and I don’t think that’ll be far off for him at all.
“When that does happen, he’ll be a welcome addition.
“He knows what an opportunity he has. If I had that opportunity at his age, I would have absolutely loved it.
“He has a big chance ahead of him this season.”
The admiration is reciprocal.
Hodge, set to be in O’Neil’s squad for Saturday’s
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