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Celtic defender Jack Hendry had a big opportunity to prove he deserves to be a regular in the starting XI against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday night, but he failed to take it.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Bhoys signed the centre-back from Dundee on the final day of the 2018 January transfer window in a deal worth around £1m, but the 23-year-old has struggled to make a positive impact or become a regular in the starting XI since then.
With Filip Benkovic and Kristoffer Ajer absent and Jozo Simunovic only making the substitutes’ bench in Austria following his return from injury, Hendry started – as he has done in recent weeks – alongside Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig in a back three and was tasked with stopping one of the most in-form strikers in Europe in Munas Dabbur.
The Israel international netted twice in a 3-1 win however, and the Scotland International produced another shaky display – similar to earlier in the campaign when he came under fire from his own fans on Twitter.
What does his latest display mean?
While Hendry may still have time on his side, but the fact that he is struggling to prove his worth as a Celtic player is certainly worrying.
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With loanee Benkovic, Ajer and even possibly Simunovic above him in the pecking order when everyone is fit to play, it is already looking like Rodgers’ £1m gamble on the 23-year-old has completely backfired.
The Glasgow giants’ season hasn’t got off to the best of starts after they were knocked out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage, as well as currently lying fifth in the Scottish Premiership standings, and they can’t afford to keep playing Hendry as they look to salvage their campaign.
