According to a recent report by the Daily Record, Scottish defender Jack Hendry is the subject of transfer interest from Belgian club KV Oostende in the summer. The report suggests that the Jupiler league club are looking to acquire the big centre-half on a loan move ahead of next season after he was seen gradually nursing his way back to full fitness. It has been clarified in the report that Oostende, who hung onto their top-flight status by a thread this season, are keen on rebuilding the squad ahead of the next campaign.
While the report claims that Oostende are interested in Jack Hendry loan from Celtic, the onus now falls onto the shoulders of Neil Lennon, who will have to decide whether the Scot is really surplus to requirements yet again this summer. The defender is currently performing pre-season training with the rest of the Celtic squad, and with two years remaining on his contract, is seemingly working hard towards breaking into this Celtic team. It was Brendan Rodgers who signed through big defender, although he’s yet to have a genuinely impactful season at the back.
What Is Jack Hendry’s Legacy At Celtic Park?
The Scottish centre-half arrived at Parkhead back in the January transfer window of 2018, after impressing during his 24 fixtures in the Premiership for Dundee FC in the first half of the 17/18 league campaign. After making the move, the defender was gradually eased into the Celtic setup, where he went on to play in eight fixtures during the remainder of the season. This playing time depleted quite a bit in the 18/19 Premiership campaign as well, as he finished the season with just four first-team appearances to his name.
On the back of some questionable displays, the big Scot was shipped out on loan in January this year, after he managed just a single League Cup appearance in the first half of the campaign. Having moved to Melbourne City, by the time he played in two fixtures for his loan club, the season was brought to a halt due to the coronavirus. Moreover, he picked up a nasty looking knee injury while in Australia, which recently required surgery as well. Hendry is currently spending pre-season at Parkhead, but a move away certainly looks on the cards.
What Does Jack Hendry Add To This Celtic Team?
Standing at over 1.9m tall, Hendry is arguably big and strong enough to be a dominant force at the back for an ambitious club like Celtic. The Scot offers excellent defensive cover when dealing with set-piece situations, while his height can be used effectively in the final third of the pitch as well.
Possessing an excellent footballing brain, Hendry tends to position himself efficiently when dealing with counter-attacks. At the same time, he’s also capable of tackling the ball off the feet of an onrushing attacker. Injuries and blips in form have posed the biggest roadblocks to the defender, who is still clearly fighting to make a place for himself in the squad.
Oostende Are Interested In Jack Hendry Loan From Celtic: Should Lennon Allow Him To Depart Again?
The Hoops are going into what could arguably be the most important season in their recent history next time out, and given that a club as historic as Celtic are involved, that’s saying something. A tenth straight league title has undoubtedly been a dream for the manager and players alike and keeping as many names as possible at Parkhead next term would be in the club’s best interest. With a general lack of clarity regarding the future of the Celts’ main defensive asset – Kristoffer Ajer, keeping a player of Hendry’s calibre in the squad has the potential to make or break the Bhoys’ league season.
