HOORAY HENDRY
Son of Braveheart ends Dons’ barren run and targets more goals to beat Hibs to third spot
A0 S he swooped to sign Callum Hendry, Derek McInnes told the striker that he detected the same kind of fight in him that saw his famous father Colin nicknamed Braveheart.
Thankfully, amid the toughest spell of the under-fire Aberdeen manager’s career, the on-loan St Johnstone forward showed he also possesses a similar knack of popping up with a headed goal.
The son of the former Blackburn Rovers, Rangers and Scotland centre-back, Hendry’s first-half effort ended Aberdeen’s scoreless streak at 574 minutes and brought to a halt a six-match winless streak for the Dons.
Now the 23-year-old hopes to help the Pittodrie club pip Hibs to third place while using his fresh start to help him rediscover the form that saw him net nine goals in 23 matches for Saints last season.
‘It was my first touch after coming on,’ smiled first-half substitute Hendry. ‘I’m delighted. I wanted to come up here to Aberdeen and score goals and hopefully that’s the first of many.
‘I’ve been loving it here. The boys are amazing and the staff are really good as well. There’s a really nice feel about the place and I’m enjoying my football again.
‘We didn’t feel pressure (amid a six-game winless run and long scoreless streak). Teams go through patches like this.
‘It’s all about the way we bounce back and we deserved the three points. Now we have to build on this.
‘We know the expectancy but we will take each week as it comes and pick up as many points as we can to get third. We want to put as much pressure as we can on Hibs to keep that third spot.’
McInnes refashioned his entire striking department during the January transfer window, bringing in Florian Kamberi and Fraser Hornby in addition to Hendry. The former two started this match, with Hornby looking a real threat until he injured himself while firing a shot on goal on 20 minutes. Sixty seconds later, after Kamberi had been knocked to the ground by Kirk Broadfoot, Niall McGinn sent over an enticing delivery onto the forehead of the unmarked Hendry, who guided it home past Colin Doyle. The relief in the Aberdeen team and
coaching staff at finally having a goal to celebrate was palpable.
For Hendry (left, with Kamberi), the only downside was the injury to Scotland Under-21 international Hornby, with whom he has struck up a fast friendship.
‘I hate seeing any of my pals get injured, so I hope it’s nothing serious,’ he said.
‘From a selfish point of view, it’s given me an opportunity but it’s come in the worst way.
‘I would rather come on in the 80th minute, score a goal and all three strikers be fit.
‘But I hope I’ve done enough for a starting spot next week and I’ll take my chance again.
‘I know what I’m capable of and what level I should be playing at.
‘If you’re not getting a game at St Johnstone and another Premiership team comes in for you, it shows someone else has got faith in you.
‘I just wanted to start playing football again.
‘Saints have been playing well and I wish them all the best. I hope they go on and win (the Betfred Cup final) next Sunday because they’re my pals and they’ve got every chance.
‘But I just want to concentrate on myself and Aberdeen.’
The closest Killie came to scoring was when Joe Lewis made saves from Nicke Kebamba and Mitch Pinnock but the struggle to create clear-cut chances will be a worry for Tommy Wright.
And in the second half, Ross McCrorie nearly doubled the lead but his powerful drive thumped back off the bar.
In the end Hendry’s goal eased the pressure on McInnes, whose future has been in question amid the recent dire run of form.
But Aberdeen sit four points behind Hibs, who have a game in hand, and the Dons boss believes third remains attainable.
‘We are going through a tough spell but wins like this will help,’ said McInnes.
‘Callum isn’t the biggest but it was a fantastic header and a great goal. I’m delighted for him.
‘That first goal was going to be important to put confidence in the team. There is an expectation at this club (to finish third).
‘We have had to deal with a lot of disruption, a lot of injuries, getting people in the door.
‘Hopefully, the players can be good enough between now and the end of the season to get third spot. Third spot would be a good season’s work.’
ABERDEEN (3-5-2): Lewis 6; Hoban 6, Taylor 6, Considine 6; McLennan 6, Ferguson 6, McCrorie 7, Campbell 6 (Virtanen 89), McGinn 7 (Kennedy 70); Kamberi 7, Hornby 3 (Hendry 20). Subs not used: Woods, Logan, McGeouch, Ross, MacKenzie, Ngwenya. Booked: McGinn. KILMARNOCK (4-5-1): Doyle 6; Millen 6, Broadfoot 6, Dikamona 3 (Medley 29), Haunstrup 6 (Kiltie 74); Burke 5 (Lafferty 46), Dicker 6, Mulumbu 6, Dabo 5 (McGowan 46), Pinnock 5; Kabamba 6 (Whitehall 74). Subs not used: Rogers, McKenzie, Rossi, Tshibola. Booked: Dabo, McGowan. Man of the match: Callum Hendry. Referee: Don Robertson.