Gareth Bale hails Burnley keeper Wayne Hennessey ahead of historic achievement
Wales talisman Gareth Bale has hailed Wayne Hennessey as the Burnley goalkeeper prepares to win his 100th cap for his country.
The summer signing, a free transfer from Crystal Palace, will rack up a century of appearances for Wales against the Czech Republic at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night, joining Bale and Chris Gunter in achieving the feat.
Hennessey, 35, started the 2-1 win over Austria in Cardiff on Thursday night, alongside Burnley teammate Connor Roberts, as Bale scored both goals to take Wales into a World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine.
And he will look to add to his national record 40 clean sheets against the Czechs.
Bale said: “What an achievement to get to 100 caps.
"The one thing with Wayne is he probably goes without much recognition.
“But I guess as a keeper if people are not talking about you normally that’s a great thing because you haven’t made mistakes.
“I also think people forget he’s got the all-time clean sheet record as well. What a goalkeeper. I think he’s so underestimated, so underrated.
“He has really been a rock in this team.
“He’s been a massive part of our success from the start till now and I can’t wait to celebrate his 100th cap with him.”
Hennessey is his country’s most-capped goalkeeper, passing the legendary Neville Southall, who earned 92.
The former Wolves man made his debut against New Zealand in 2007, and has played with Bale – who made his debut a year earlier – throughout his 15 years in the squad.
Bale added: “We’ve been great friends since our early days and it’s grown and grown to a kind of a bromance.
“We’re inseparable when we come away to camp.
“It’s been a pleasure to play with him and be a friend of his.
“He’s literally one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. So humble, so down to earth, I’m just proud of him as a friend as well.”
Hennessey has made three appearances for Burnley, his heroics earning a penalty shootout victory at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, before two Premier League starts around the turn of the year at Manchester United and Leeds.