Injury prone Celtic outcast hopes to reject Belgian interest and force his way back into the team

It does seem very unlikely that Jack Hendry will force his way back into the first team at Celtic, but there is a serious shortage at centre-back just now.

The departure of Jozo Simunovic means Ajer and Jullien are the only natural options in the centre of defence, while Nir Bitton and Lee O’Connor could fill in.

The fans will probably be hoping for at least one addition before the season starts, but it’s currently set up for Hendry to make a pitch.

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Unfortunately he’s had plenty of injury issues and he’s currently recovering from a knee injury that ruined his loan spell in Australia, but a report from HITC has suggested he wants to stay.

They suggest that Belgian side Oostende are looking to sign him, but Hendry wants to reject that and force his way into Lenny’s plans instead.

There’s no doubt that he would need to show some serious improvement for that to happen, as he’s never truly impressed at Celtic since his arrival from Dundee.

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His biggest problem is that he doesn’t look happy in possession, so opposing sides will allow him to get the ball in the knowledge that he’ll probably give it straight back.

He also looks a bit raw defensively, but it’s important to remember that he’s not actually played that much football in his career.

35 of his 52 career league appearances came in the 2017/18 season for Dundee and Celtic, while he’s only picked up a handful of games in loan spells outwith that.

He needs to play regularly and that will build confidence and help him to develop, but you do have to wonder if Lenny trusts him enough to play a big role in such a vital season.


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Still trying to figure out exactly why Vidar Riseth hammered the ball across his own goal line that night in Perth....

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