On-loan goalkeeper Stephen Henderson is enjoying the experience of working with one-time hero Mick McCarthy — and hopes it won’t be the only time in his career.

Henderson, who is with Town from West Ham until January, has ambitions to go all the way to the top and win senior international honours for the Republic of Ireland.

Now 24, the Dubliner earned caps at U16, U17 and U19 levels before graduating to play eight times for the U21 side.

He has yet to make his senior debut but in February was on the bench for a friendly against the Czech Republic so is clearly in manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s thoughts.

With McCarthy confirming that he would one day like to take charge of the Irish for a second time, Henderson is excited at the prospect of working with him at international level.

Henderson said: “When I was growing up Mick was getting us to major tournaments like the World Cup in 2002. He’s obviously a hero back in Ireland and to be working for him now is very special to me.

“I’d have been 14 when we got to the World Cup. I remember it as if it was yesterday. There was so much hype and then there was the Roy Keane saga, which was a bit of a mess.

“I was on Mick’s side — honestly I was — and there was a massive divide regarding people either agreeing with Mick or Roy. It was a bit of a crazy time but he did great for the country.

“Who knows, if I impress him enough and he does get the job hopefully it will work out for both of us.”

For the time being, however, Henderson is confident that McCarthy can build on the 1-0 win at Birmingham that marked his first game in charge and go on to become an Ipswich hero.

He added: “He started off well on Saturday. The appointment alone, along with Terry Connor, has given the club a huge lift and it shows the size of Ipswich Town to be able to attract a manager like Mick McCarthy.

“The fans here are brilliant, second to none, and it made sense for him to come here. Hopefully he can get the club to where it belongs.”

Photo: Action Images

DiamondGezzer added 06:54 - Nov 6 Keep up the clean sheets and you may well do.
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Len_Brennan added 07:01 - Nov 6 I thought Mick might have brought Loach back in as he needs confidence & Henderson won't be here for too long. We do have a serious problem in this position as neither of them are particularly convincing, and perhaps no better than ALB. The failure to sign Tomaz Ku... (spelling? - him that went to Brighton) was probably the biggest miss during the summer. We now have 3 goalkeepers - 1 on loan - who are much of a muchness, none of which really inspire confidence at the back or in the stands. Loach is probably the only one of the 3 who has the potential to be here beyond next summer. I can certainly see Mick targetting a new number 1 in January though.

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WarkyWonderLand added 07:28 - Nov 6 Don't write loach off just yet. Look at Alex McCarthy, he was poor for us and now look at his performances for reading. Goalkeepers are a funny breed!! Coyb
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Dissboyitfc added 07:46 - Nov 6 no better than loach, and loach is one of us, so until the time comes when we have better, please stick with Loach. On another note, really pleased we got Macarthy, but henderson refers to the size of us being able to attract such a manager, i see it another way, if he keeps us up( and i have no doubt he will) and you include the bonus in his salary, between now and may he will have earnt somewhere in the region of 8/9 grand a day! I think "most" out of work managers, would have accepted that. Anyway , would love a clean sheet tonight.....coyb

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yorksblue added 08:18 - Nov 6 Repeat result from Sat please
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Karlosfandangal added 10:30 - Nov 6 Fans second to none ha all we do is slag of players and moan at the manager. Ipswich fans are the most fickle to none. Sounds like Mick is getting ready for Ireland as soon as the manager is sack Mick will be gone so much for building for the the long term.
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