“It has been a tough time at club level for me,” Celtic defender

JACK HENDRY has described the last six months as the toughest of his career and he hopes that the experience will stand him in good stead for the future. It is fair to say that the big defender, signed at the end of the January transfer window from Dundee, has had a difficult start to his career as a Celtic player. However when others have been injured or unavailable he has always been there ready and willing to play – for that he deserves our respect. Maybe more respect that he has been given so far, and maybe that’s part of the problem.

“It has been a tough time at club level for me personally but I always think that they make you stronger as a player and as a person,” Jack told the media.

“I am always looking for feedback on my performances whether that is from games or in training but I am always looking to improve.

“It has probably been the steepest learning curve of my career over the last six months. Every touch, every pass, every move gets analysed at Celtic so that is something that I have had to learn from. I need to embrace that.

“It is difficult. Sometimes you have to stay strong and it makes you a bigger and better person. It is not easy dealing with disappointments but that is when you have to stand tall.”

Brendan Rodgers recently admitted that he has had to call on Hendry to play much more than he had initially anticipated when he signed the player from Dundee – who yesterday sacked their manager Neil McCann. The added responsibility of having to wear the jersey when perhaps not quite ready to do so, hasn’t weighed the former Celtic development player down.

“I don’t know mind being put in. I want to be put in and I want to play in those games. If I am asked to play in a high stake game I feel I am capable of doing that and it is only going to make me better as a player. I do take confidence from playing at that level and getting that experience.

“I have talked to the manager about it but I do feel that I am ready to play in them. The only criticism I am paying any attention to comes from him and I try to take on board everything that he tells me,” Hendry said.

Looking forward to the match against Hibs, Hendry expects a more open game than is usually the case when teams visit Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership.

“I want to play in every game I can. It is a big couple of weeks coming up for the club and hopefully I have a role to play.

“Sometimes teams come and try to frustrate us at Celtic Park but I think that Hibs might come and have a go which should make for a good game. It also helps us as hopefully that will lead to a bit of space and the game opening up a bit.”

Hendry also made his way into the Scotland set-up during this troublesome six month period and has managed to cope with the pressure of playing international football, as well as playing for Celtic in the European competitions.

“It is fairly similar playing at international level and playing in European games for Celtic.

“You know that you are playing against talented sides and each individual player has genuine quality. You know that any time there is a lack of concentration then you get punished.”

Hendry didn’t take part at McDiarmid Park a fortnight ago as he was suffering from a bug. He did play against Portugal on Sunday as Alex McLeish’s side suffered another defeat.

Also on The Celtic Star this morning:

Bring on the Hibs, the Hearts and the Leipzig! The message from Celtic star…See HERE.

Scarred by The Ibrox Disaster…See HERE.

Jim Craig – Frank McAvennie stars in ‘The Case of Goldilocks and the Three Gers’…See HERE.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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