JACK HENDRY will face the biggest challenge of his career on Wednesday night at Celtic Park when Rosenborg arrive looking for revenge after last year’s Champions League elimination by Celtic.
We have featured Hendry’s partner in the centre of the Celtic defence already today and you can read the glowing and well deserved praise for Kristoffer Ajer from his manager Brendan Rodgers – see HERE.
For Hendry though it is clear that he is still regarded as ‘a work in progress’ but a commanding performance against Rosenborg – in his favoured position at the centre of the defence – could see him take significant strides in convincing the support and indeed more importantly his manager that the former Dundee man is the real deal.
We’ll not get too carried away. Jack has a lot of work to do still, but what he has is potential,” Rodgers said.
“He’s a young guy who has made great strides in a short period of time in his career.
“He has potential, but there is still a lot of work for him to do in both the defensive and offensive situations.
“The experiences he’s had will only help him.”
With 3 defenders on Wednesday likely to be 20 or 21 the overall experience levels will be lower than Rodgers would perhaps have liked but in Kieran Tierney and Kristoffer Ajer he knows that they both have enough experience and have proven themselves continually at Celtic. That is where Hendry wants to be too and against Rosenborg he is going to get his chance.
He has rather unfortunately for him personally, had most of his first team experience playing out of his comfort zone as a right back replacement for Mikael Lustig.
On Wednesday Henry can deliver a no nonsense, commanding defensive display and help propel Celtic one step closer to the Champions League. And in doing so he can move up the rankings as Rodgers rates his defenders for the season ahead.
There is still a doubt on the future of both Boyata – will he sign his new deal or not? – and the rather reckless Simunovic – does he want away?
Rodgers could soon find himself without one or even both of these experienced players. As for January’s signing Marvin Compper, that looks like a move that just isn’t going to work out.
So for Jack Hendry he has the chance on Wednesday to prove that he’s more than just work in progress and can fill any vacancies that may arise.
What an opportunity for the player. Let’s hope he takes it.
