Kai Herdling: "Happy feeling in the changing room"

Hello Kai. You were bumped up into the first-team squad for the friendlies against Geislingen and Ketsch. Do you hope that your involvement would offer you the chance for a more permanent spot in the team?

Kai Herdling: In all honesty, not really. It's unusual for a 29-year-old player to get another chance in the Bundesliga.

You have convinced though. What kind of footballer is Kai Herdling?

Kai Herdling: (laughs) Even if as a footballer I haven't spent that much time in the limelight, I have learnt one thing: Never answer that question.

You already revealed that you are 29, but you are labelled by many of the players as a youngster. How does that work?

Kai Herdling: I'm not sure really. At the club a number of young players are selected by Markus Gisdol. Maybe a few have concluded that I too must be young because hardly anyone knows me and I have no Bundesliga experience.

You do have a little though. You've got one appearance to your name...

Kai Herdling: True. In the 2009/10 season under Ralf Rangnick, I came on for around 15 minutes against Mainz 05. I don't have any good memories of the game though, we lost 1-0.

You were recently brought on in the cup and scored two goals. The first one you scored was a bicycle kick. Have you ever scored a goal like that?

Kai Herdling: Not at this level. I did score a bicycle kick in the fourth division. This one was something special though.

Afterwards you seemed to land awkwardly on your right hand?

Kai Herdling: I have had a few problems with my right thumb over the past few weeks, and after a bicycle kick like that, you never land perfectly. Nothing happened though, and it didn't irritate me on the pitch.

Let's talk about the approaching opening Bundesliga weekend. Nürnberg were surprisingly knocked out of the cup. Do you think that impacts the Bundesliga game?

Kai Herdling: I don't think so. We benefit from focusing on our performance and our football. We will continue to work consistently this week and prepare precisely for the game against Nürnberg.

What kind of feeling do you get when you are involved with the team?

Kai Herdling: A very good one. Although we haven't been together like this for a while, the group has grown close and is full of good spirit. I play a little football, but I've never seen anything like this so early on in the season before. We have a really good mix of experienced and younger players. When you come into the changing room, you feel happy.

Have you got any goals for the season ahead?

Kai Herdling: No, not at all. I am enjoying the moment; I'm working hard in training and in every minute on the pitch that I get. What might happen in two or three months is not something I am worrying about.

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