Celtic confirm sale of defender Jack Hendry

Celtic have confirmed the sale of 26-year-old defender Jack Hendry. The Scotland Internationalist will join Oostende after the Belgian side exercised their option to buy the ex-Dundee central defender. Hendry, who joined in January 2018, had loan spells with Melbourne and Oostende as he struggled to make an impact on the first team at Celtic but now he has sealed a deal to play his football in Belgium, after impressing last season.

Jack Hendry has joined @kvoostende on a permanent basis.

We wish @Jack_Hendry2 all the best for his future career. 🍀 pic.twitter.com/srobNlwjKu

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 26, 2021

Hendry arrived for a high fee from Dundee, which would have added extra pressure to the youngster. It might have been due to his turn of pace, height or insistence to pass the ball that Celtic signed him but in truth, he never really settled. Rodgers appeared content asking him to play at right back as well as at the heart of defence but he struggled to break into the side with Ajer, Boyata and Simunovic ahead of him in the pecking order. The new season may have increased opportunities for Hendry but he struggled to justify the price tag – often copping flak when thrown in at the deep end by Rodgers. AEK Athens and Salzburg away act as examples of Hendry being put in the deep end and judged harshly after a few games.

Neil Lennon clearly didn’t fancy Hendry and offered him limited game time but injuries hampered his chances to really make a mark. It is ironic that the one season Hendry enjoyed a prolonged run in the team, Celtic’s defence was utterly decimated.

Hopefully Celtic will recoup the fee paid to Dundee as well as having a tidy sell-on fee for the defender, should Oostende look to turn a quick profit on the player that played Scotland’s Euro 2020 opener vs the Czech Republic.

Good luck, Jack.