Jack Hendry has reflected on the incredible year that has saw him transformed from sixth choice at Celtic to being on the brink of a Champions League debut against Messi and Neymar.
Recovering from knee surgery, Celtic sanctioned a loan move to Oostende with Kris Ajer, Chris Jullien, Hatem Abd Elhamed and Nir Bitton as options in central defence. Jozo Simunovic had been released but Neil Lennon turned to Shane Duffy as a replacement.
Once Hendry got his chance at Oostende he grasped it. A team that had toiled for seasons suddenly moved into contention for a European place with English clubs taking note of the defender that had been written off at Celtic.
Steve Clarke took notice, Hendry played at the European Championships as Oostende took up the option to make his move from Celtic permanent.
On Deadline Day Club Brugge made their move, shortly after being drawn with Paris Saint Germain, Manchester City and RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Looking back on darker days, Hendry told The Sun:
You take the knocks and if you play with big clubs then you need to handle criticism. Thankfully I have learned from that and I am now at a great club in Club Brugge.
Celtic was a big club and it was a hard schooling there, but it’s put me in a great place now. Anyone that goes out there and puts negative vibes towards me, I use that as motivation.
I believe in myself, I believe in my own ability. You don’t get the couple of moves I’ve had if you’re a bad player. All I needed was game time to prove myself and I got that at Oostende last season.
Hopefully this shows that when I get games at a club that believes in me I can produce.
Hendry’s last Champions League involvement was in the Celtic side that lost 2-1 away to AEK Athens in the third play-off round in 2018.
In December 2019 Hendry was an overage player facing Gary Harkins of Partick Thistle in a 1-1 Glasgow Cup draw at Dumbarton, CLICK HERE for match report.
CELTIC side v Thistle:
Mullen; O’Connor (Savoury 45), Hjelde, Hendry, Church; Connell, Coffey (Murray 79); Harper (Burt 65), Karamoko, Oko Flex (Wylie 79); Afolabi. Lian Burt was the Celtic scorer.