Mads Andersen hopes play-off adventure with Barnsley FC can boost his Euro 2020 hopes with Denmark

Sunday was a disappointing day for Barnsley. It was a disappointing day for many football lovers, for sure.

But the sight of centre-back Mads Andersen when questioned about potentially donning the national jersey of his native Denmark offered a bit of hope in its own way.

Andersen has been one of the form defenders across the Championship in terms of statistics this season – even accounting for a bad day at the office for him and his team-mates against Coventry City at St Andrew’s.

Should his form continue, then it looks a case of when and not if the Danish FA surely take a look at him.

If Andersen wants any further inspiration, it should arrive with the recent call-up for Michal Helik, capped by Poland for the first time at senior level during the recent international break, which included an appearance at Wembley.

On the prospect of wearing the red and white of Denmark at senior level, Andersen, 23 – capped twice for his country at Under-19 level, said: “It is my goal one hundred per cent – to play for the national team.

“I have not had any talks with them, but it is a big motivation for sure. Daniel Agger was my hero.”

In the here and now, domestic business is of paramount importance following a collectively poor performance against Coventry on Sunday.

The Reds were well beaten and produced one of the worst performances of the Valerien Ismael era.

As the Oakwell head coach rightly stated, it represents a ‘good warning’ for the sixth-placed Reds ahead of back-to-back derbies against Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United.

Barnsley are still four points ahead of the side just outside of the play-offs in Reading with four matches remaining in the regular season. It is a handy buffer, but the Reds still have work to do.

Andersen added: “It is okay to be disappointed for a bit. But there are four games left and we cannot go ‘under the grave’ because we lost the match (at Coventry) and you move forward.

“We will do everything we can at Huddersfield.”

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