Rosenborg goalkeeper Andre Hansen is probably very close to the two preferred in front of him by Norwegian national coach Lars Lagerback. Hertha Berlin shot stopper Rune Jarstein and the new Aston Villa goalie Ørjan Nyland are the two players in front in the pecking order.
The problem at the moment is that Rune Jarstein had a minor injury in the game recently v. Werder Bremen, and Nyland has been under great pressure with a problematic start at Villa Park.
Andre Hansen is in great form for Rosenborg playing for them with great confidence, recently taking over the lead in the Norwegian Eliteserie. Rosenborg are also competing in the final rounds of the Europa League, playing in a group with Celtic.
Hansen has since his move from Odd Skien in 2014 been playing regularly and seen as a steady first choice, but only been picked for three full internationals which also resulted in his withdrawel, but now he has opened the door again to be involved if crises.
The route to the top has also been one a bit like Jamie’s, going through minor clubs in Norway such as Skeid and Kjelsås. Then taking the steps via a loan spell in Reykjavik, Iceland and coming back to Norway being signed by Odd from Lillestrom in his early 20’s without very little top level experience.
As we have seen with Gareth Southgate, not even at King Power Stadium v. Switzerland it was a place for Jamie Vardy, who has not totally shot the door for doing some international duty if needed, but those men in charge seldom takes that into consideration and instead goes for a younger alternative.
We just have to wait and see if Lagerback will do as Southgate and ignore the player and his decision to be available if needed and if the chance of playing is there.
Hansen is alongside his playing duties also working as a lawyer, given the chance to practice his trade already with a law firm in Trondheim. There are several players who have managed to mix professional life in football with education, one example is Kristian Kalvenes, previously with Burnley, who finished his masters degree in finance while playing at Turf Moor, and today are well employed in his new trade.
Jamie Vardy is also special giving something back to football via his football academy V9, giving players out of contract in the professional game a chance to get back in action and be seen by other clubs.
We wish that stubborn managers would see the benefit of people who likes to plan their lives and family in front of football at all matters, and when needed, still being among the best players in their league, so Lagerback and Southgate pick up the phone!
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