JACK HENDRY will take confidence from the receiving praise from his manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of playing in the most important match of his career on Tuesday night in Athens.
Rodgers, as we reported earlier, has publicly backed Hendry alongside Kristoffer Ajer – who unfortunately is suspended for the match in Athens – as the best available central defenders at the club – read HERE.
While that may reflect on the manager’s loss of patience and faith in Jozo Simunovic – who will presumably get a chance on Tuesday to redeem himself, it also indicates that the disgraceful behaviour of Dedryck Boyata – a player whose career was saved by Rodgers – means that he is now no longer regarded as an active member of the Celtic squad by the manager. You will have read THIS of course today and THIS yesterday on The Celtic Star.
Hendry, like every member of the squad professional enough to board the plane for Greece today, is completely focused on getting the result that would take us through. That means a win or a high scoring draw but Celtic need to score. 0-0 and we are out. Hendry reckons we can win the game.
“The full focus is on that now,” the big defender said.
“We have to go over there and do a job and the lads believe we are more than capable of doing that so full focus on that and making sure we get through to the next round.
“I thought we were the better team by far during the week so if we can implement that over there, I am sure that we will go there and do the job, but it obviously going there and doing it.”
Craig Gordon has also spoken ahead of the flight to Athens and the big goalie, while disappointed at the loss at Tynecastle yesterday, reckons Celtic can win in Athens – see HERE.
