FOOTBALL : THIS IS THE REAL THING FOR JONAY

<a href=www.dailyrecord.co.uk>The Daily Record Apr 18 2003

JONAY HERNANDEZ watched Real Madrid clinch the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen last year and realised he had no chance of breaking into the first team.

The defender and his mates from Real's B side looked on in awe at Hampden as Zinedine Zidane and Co scooped the greatest prize in club football.

Hernandez fell in love with Scotland's National Stadium and the experience made him even more determined to step out of the shadows and make his name.

At the time he had no idea he would be set to return to the Hampden less than a year later.

Hernandez, who is a good pal of Roberto Carlos and Raul, feels facing Inverness on Sunday will top anything he has experienced in football - so long as Dundee win.

He said: "Last year I was in the Real second team and the club president invited everyone to go to the final.

"My first time in Scotland was the game at Hampden and I never thought I'd be going there again.

"We flew back the same day and had a big party in Madrid. I didn't have a clue at the time that Dundee were interested in me.

"When my contract ended two months later my agent told me I had an option in Scotland as well as teams in Spain.

"He said it was better to come here because I would be playing in the Premier League with a good atmosphere and good supporters.

"I trained for 10 days, they asked me to sign and I said yes.

"Places like Ibrox and Celtic Park are very good places to play because everyone is shouting but I really loved Hampden.

"It will be even more beautiful if we beat Inverness on Sunday and then I'll get to go back again.

"I've never had the chance to play in a semi-final so this will be my biggest game."

Hernandez has settled well in Scotland and has developed a novel approach to learning English. He said: "I've been learning by going to the college. I also rent DVDs with subtitles and try to memorise the words.

"I've done it with films like Training Day and Collateral Damage - you could say I am a good member of Blockbuster."

The left-back still keeps a close eye on his old club's progress.

He said: "I was at Real for three years and played some first-team friendlies but no competitive games.

"I hope to watch them against Manchester United at Old Trafford because my friend Paco Pavon, who is still playing for them, has given me tickets.

"When you train with Roberto Carlos and see how he touches the ball, it is amazing. I had no chance of taking his place in the team."

Hernandez, who was born in Venezuela but grew up in Tenerife, will hit the headlines back home if Dundee reach the final.

He added: "I'll get calls from journalists because we'll have the chance to play in the UEFA Cup."