Celtic centre-back Jack Hendry has been named the best player in the Belgian Premier Pro by the nation’s biggest footballing magazine.
Hendry was sent out to Belgian side KV Oostende in a bid to reignite his career. Throughout that time he’s become a key member of their squad, forced his way back into Scotland contention, and now been labelled the nation’s best player.
It’s a massive boost for him ahead of his return to Celtic Park in the summer. Hendry has already revealed that his loan club are looking to take up the option-to-buy clause in his contract. However, the player himself hasn’t ruled anything out as he ponders a decision on his long-term future.
However, reacting to the award, given to him by Sport Voetbal, Hendry couldn’t hide his pleasure as he discussed the future. Speaking on Sport Voetbal’s website, Jack said: “Of course I am incredibly proud of it [the award]. This recognition by the largest football magazine in Belgium is a great honor.
“I know as much about that as you do: nothing (on his future). I thank KVO for being able to show my talent. Ostend has a purchase option and they want to activate it. The matter now is to reach an agreement. My wish is to play at the highest level, that is clear. And that can be in any competition.”
Another big boost for Celtic man Jack Hendry; future remains unclear
It’s difficult to know just where Hendry stands on his future. From the outside looking in, he appears determined to test himself at the highest level, and doesn’t look as though he wants to commit to a certain club yet.
You would automatically assume that means he’s waiting to see what happens at Celtic. After all, we still operate at a higher level professionally than Oostende. But Hendry has also been linked with a move to the Premier League since heading to Belgium too [Daily Mail]. There are no guarantees he wants a move back to Scotland if an offer came up down south.
Celtic simply can’t commit to bringing Hendry back and giving him opportunities. Not with so much uncertainty over who our new managerial team will be. It’s not as if Hendry’s future is our biggest priority, and it won’t be for some time yet.
What Celtic can likely guarantee is an opportunity for Hendry to prove himself. A chance to be a part of our pre-season squad and see what the new man makes of him. But that’s as far as the assurances go. If Oostende take up their option-to-buy clause, it’s down to the player himself as to whether he accepts it.
But it doesn’t seem as if he’s too committal at the moment. It could be the case that he views staying in Belgium as a last resort should Celtic want to discard him and no offers from any of the big European leagues come in for him.
In any case, he’s succeeded in his goal this season. His mission was to impress and reinvent himself. Nobody can say he hasn’t done that, and this latest award from Sport Voetbal is proof.
In other news, John Kennedy has given the Celtic supporters a reason to watch the game with Aberdeen tomorrow.
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