Former Celtic defender Jack Hendry looks set to sign for Al Ettifaq under former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard. The 28-year-old could be the latest player to swap European football for the emerging league in Saudi as Gerrard looks to sign yet another former Celtic player.

Italian transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Scotland Internationalist is set to depart Club Brugge for Saudi Arabia on a permanent deal.

Al Ettifaq are set to sign Jack Hendry on permanent deal from Club Brugge. He’ll join Steven Gerrard team after medical this week. 🟢🇸🇦

◉ Jordan Henderson deal to be signed this new week.
◉ Moussa Dembélé set to join as free agent very soon.
◉ Hendry will be third signing. pic.twitter.com/ELwUwJF00x

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2023

Hendry represents a disappointment in the club’s transfer business. He 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. He left the club having made 27 appearances.

Gerrard is closing in on a deal to sign Hendry’s former Celtic teammate Moussa Dembele. Dembele was a fan favourite instantly with a hat-trick against Rangers at Celtic Park. He actually managed seven goals and four assists in eight appearances against the Ibrox side. He scored 51 goals in 94 appearances across the two seasons, winning six trophies during his trophy-laden spell in Glasgow.

Another signing that is close to being confirmed or Al Ettifaq is Jordan Henderson, the Liverpool captain.

Alfredo Morelos, incidentally remains on the look-out for a new club. (He’s just left one, Ed).