Callum chasing the joy of top six
Hendry has finishing line in sight after turnaround
IF the dark weeks that St Johnstone were stuck in during the opening half of the season seem like a distant nightmare, Callum Hendry might appreciate the journey a little more than most.
A year ago Hendry returned to St Johnstone on the back of a dreadful loan spell at Brechin that came hard on the heels of being released by Blackburn without ever playing for the senior side.
On Saturday afternoon the hitman netted his ninth goal of the season – and those strikes have earned Saints 13 vital points.
The win over Livingston – a truly forgettable game – elevated Tommy Wright’s side into seventh and leaves them within one point of Hibs whom they face at Easter Road on Saturday.
Hendry said: “All we want is top six and we know we’re in touching distance of it.
“We knew that people had been writing us off earlier in the season but we’ve turned it around.
“We’re confident we can do it. It was a massive three points for us if we’re looking to finish in the top six.
“I never expected to be in this position. It’s every boy’s dream.
“Brechin was the low point in my career. It wasn’t where I wanted to be. I’m just delighted I’ve turned things around quickly.
“I’ve just been keeping my head down and dealing with setbacks. There are a lot more lows than highs in football.
“I’ve worked hard and the harder you work, the luckier you get. I’ve had that drilled into me from day dot.
“I’m definitely mentally tougher than I was back then.”
Hendry’s finish was impressive – as was Drey Wright’s delivery when he bombed to the byeline before whipping in an enticing ball across the six-yard line. But the striker knows he still has some way to go.
He said: “After the goal went in I was tightening up a bit. It’s a step closer to a full 90 minutes though.
“It shows that my fitness is improving. This time last month I wouldn’t have reached that point on the game. Hopefully 90 minutes will be next.
“I’ve never had that before – staying on the pitch for so long and then scoring the winner. “That goal was massive for me. “In the back of my mind my first thought was, ‘The gaffer’s put his faith in me’ when he took Stevie May off first. It’s good for me but the most important thing is it paid off for the team.”
Since Hibs beat St Johnstone back in November , the Perth side have lost only two matches from their last 11 on home soil – both against Celtic.
They have also lost only one game in their last nine.
Such form has taken them firmly away from the relegation zone with their early struggles now a distant memory.
It will be interesting to see how they will fare against Jack Ross’ side this weekend. And Hendry is confident Saints have hit a bit of form at exactly the right time as the campaign heads into the business end.
He said: “Results against the teams above us like Motherwell and Aberdeen have been big and now Livingston.
“You can’t write us off. Everybody knows we’ve got momentum and hopefully it has come at just the right time.
“Livi are such a hard team to break down and I’m just so pleased I was able to get my goal.
“Drey’s cross made it easy. It meant I didn’t need to put power on it. There were loads of hugs in the changing room.”