Celtic centre-back Jack Hendry has opened up on his last-minute winner for loan club Oostende after marking his return from injury in style.
Hendry made his debut for the Belgian side in their 1-0 win against KV Mechelen on Saturday. This came after three games on the bench and nine months without game-time as the Celtic-owned defender eagerly waited for his chance to shine.
The unfortunate centre-back suffered a torn ligament which destroyed his chances of making an impact in his last loan spell with Melbourne City in Australia.
However, after plenty of set-backs, the man signed by Brendan Rodgers back in January 2018 was certainly delighted at being back on the pitch.
As quoted by the Daily Record, Hendry said: “It was my first game for nine months. I was out for four weeks after my knee operation and then football obviously stopped. So I had a lot of difficult months.
“To score the winning goal in injury time was a dream for me. It couldn’t have gone better. I knew I would get a chance during the game and I managed to finish it.
“I think Belgian football suits my style of play and I think I can do well here. I respect the Belgian league. I also had options in Scotland, but there are some strong teams in this league. I’m hoping my experience will help us this season.”
A chance for Hendry to put himself in the shop window
It’s great to see Hendry back on the pitch. Regardless of whether you think he has a future at Celtic or not, he’s been struck with far too much bad luck since he signed for the club almost three years ago.
At 25 years of age, the time is now for Hendry to be playing regular football, and Oostende now have themselves a player with something to prove.
The former Dundee man could seriously use this period in Belgium to put himself back into the shop window. The fact he’s started his playing career there with a last-minute goal and a clean sheet certainly won’t do him any harm.
As for his Celtic career, you can never say never, but it just feels that the Hoops have moved on. With six potential centre-back options already at the club, Hendry has some way to go to throw himself back into contention.
Hendry’s contract in Glasgow is also up in the summer of 2021 (Transfermarkt). It’s extremely difficult to see the club giving him an extension to that deal.
So that only heightens the importance of the current campaign for the centre-back. Saturday was a start, but it’s essential that he kicks on from here on in.
In other news, one of Neil Lennon’s summer-signings believes that it’ll take more time for him to get fully used to Scottish football.
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