Caldwell: I’m the man for Scotland
spending a few days at Lennoxtown,” said Caldwell. “Brendan [Rodgers] was brilliant with me. There was just so much to take in from the way he trains and how professional he is and it was great to go in and see that.
“As I said to Brendan, I actually felt that you could see the performance levels of Scotland go up with the improvement at Celtic. With so many players coming from Parkhead and into the national team, you could feel the rise in standard.
“Essentially, that is what you are looking to do as an international manager. You want to replicate club form with the national team and if you have players looking to compete in the Champions League every year then that experience, as I know full well, helps to prepare you for international football.
“It is no coincidence that Spain did so well with a core of Barcelona players, that Germany did so well with many coming from Bayern Munich. That helps to forge a club mentality.”
And Caldwell, an inductee to Scotland’s Hall of Fame with 55 caps, believes that he has the necessary attributes to manage his country.
“If I didn’t make a difference I wouldn’t be going for it,” he said. “I think I understand the psychology of modern football. I understand the pressure of the players when you have gone so long and haven’t made it to a major international tournament.
“I also know the make-up of modern football. I am going for it because I feel that I have an awful lot to offer. As a player I did my level best to help Scotland to qualify for a tournament and never quite got there so it would be nice to have a crack as manger.
“I also feel that this is a crucial period of transition for the country. I am young, I am energetic, I have a lot of ideas and I think we need to have a new approach.
“The late Gary Speed went into the job at Wales when he was still young. Ryan Giggs now is still relatively young. The landscape is changing.”
THE odds against Jack Hendry not getting off to a winning start as he made his Hoops debut last weekend would have been pretty high, given the domestic track record of Brendan Rodgers’ side.
The smart money, though, would be on Hendry making an impact at the heart of Celtic’s backline in the weeks and months to come.
Rodgers’ perseverance in getting the player into the squad before the deadline last week underlined his admiration for a defender who he subsequently tipped to go on and win full international honours in his career.
For Hendry, though, it is about the here and now.
The defender has arrived – or rather returned – to the club he was released from in his teens determined to show that he has what it takes to nail down a regular place – an ambition that will be his immediate goal.
“I’m sure Celtic fans will see that I am very passionate in what I do and I strive to succeed – I am a winner,” the former Dundee defender told the Celtic View.
“I class myself as what people would say is a modernday centre-half. I like to bring the ball out and play good football but, first and foremost, I like to defend and I thrive off keeping clean sheets and getting the upper-hand against other strikers and opponents.
“I am a real admirer of how Celtic play and I feel it suits my game. That is one of the main reasons I came here and hopefully I can add to the squad by playing that way.
“First, I want to get my head down and try to get myself in the team and once I am in the team, maintain that and continue the success the squad has been having. I want to get myself in the best possible shape so I can go in and be a starting player.”
The deal to get Hendry and goalkeeper Scott Bain in before last Wednesday night’s deadline closed was done with minutes to spare.
And Celtic manager Rodgers was quick to congratulate the player on his move.
“The gaffer was just delighted that the deal got over the line,” he said. “He is happy I am here and looking forward to working with me, pushing me on and progressing me as a player.
“It is obviously a massive compliment that a manager of his stature wants me. So it is up to me to repay that faith he has shown in me and really kick on. ”
HENDRY had barely time to look out his boots by the time he was lining up at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock. He is expected to play a part against Partick Thistle this weekend on Scottish Cup duty, a game that will act as a prelude to the Europa League game against Zenit St Petersburg next week.
The home tie will be seen as key prior to Celtic’s return for the second leg seven days later in Russia and Hendry could well find himself involved in what would arguably be the biggest game of his career.
With Marvin Compper having been injured since arriving in the January transfer window, the veteran defender is pushing towards full fitness. However, his lack of game time means that it is unlikely he will be rushed into the first-team.
Jozo Simunovic is fit to play but with Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer added to a lengthy crocks’ list this week, the expectancy is that Hendry will have as good a chance as any of playing.
“I was a ball boy for the Barcelona game – the 3-2 game – and against other teams like AC Milan,” he said. “You remember the likes of Messi turning up and the atmosphere being incredible – special games, special moments.
“You always wanted it as a kid so it was a dream to come back and play for Celtic and now it is a reality which is a really good feeling.”
Certainly, first-team coach John Kennedy believes Hendry is capable of going in and staying in the Celtic defence.
“He has hardly missed a game for Dundee,” said Kennedy. “In terms of fitness, he is fine and it is just about getting up to speed in terms of his position in the team and his role within the team structure.
“He plays in a manner which suits how we play. This is why the manager wanted to bring him in.”