Matt Doherty inspired by Lionel Messi workload
Matt Doherty is using Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s workload as inspiration as Wolves tackle their hectic fixture list.
Wolves have already played 24 games in the Premier League, Europa League and EFL Cup this season, with Doherty featuring in 17 of those fixtures.
And as he jetted off on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, he looked to Real Madrid and Portuguese ace Ronaldo and Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi as examples of how to juggle league, European and international commitments.
He said: “I do want to play every game, of course, rack up those appearances.
“You just want to stay in a rhythm if you are playing well, keep your rhythm and confidence.
“We are professional footballers, that is our job to play games, so why not?
“You look at Messi and Ronaldo and they play almost every game for club and country.
“It might add up to 50 or 60 games and they do not look tired to me!
“As a footballer you want to play in every game possible because when there is a game on and you are not playing, someone is in your position so there is a possibility someone can take your position.
“So you want to play every game you can.”
Doherty, 27, shook off the knee problem that forced him off in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal to start at right wing-back for the 1-0 Europa League win over Slovan Bratislava and 2-1 victory over Villa last week and is now looking forward to representing Ireland in the international fixtures.
Mick McCarthy is set to give Doherty the right-back role for the Republic of Ireland in Monday’s Euro 2020 qualifying clash with Denmark, due to Seamus Coleman’s suspension.
Before that, Ireland host New Zealand in a friendly tonight before the crunch clash with the second-placed Danes.
And Doherty says he will not be fazed if he gets the nod.
He said: “Hopefully I will stay fit, in good form and I’m able to help us get to the finals.
“If I play I will try to do my best and hopefully that will be good enough.
“He (Seamus) is captain and he has been one of the best right backs in the Premier League for a number of years.
“We both play in the Premier League almost every week so I will not be overawed by it.
“It is a case of whenever I do get a chance, I need to play well and take it.”
