I’ll be hoops hero like my father Big Rab
SAYS
But instead of making it big with the Hoops, the 22-year-old is standing tall playing hoops in the shadows of Parkhead after earning a dream shot with the Glasgow Rocks.
Following his debut for the British Basketball League outfit last weekend, he hopes for another run- out against Plymouth this afternoon at the Emirates Arena – just a goal kick away from where Douglas, 46, was No.1 in the Celtic side which reached the 2003 UEFA Cup final.
Hendry said: “I still remember Sevi l le, against Porto and celebrating title and cup wins.
“I recall I beat up Hoopy at Parkhead once!
“Dad had me around for a lot of it. He was, and is, such a role model for me. Seeing some of the things he accomplished wasas so inspiring growing up.”
Even though Rab and hisis mum Linzi split up when he was young – and he moved to Canada – it didn’t stop Murrayay from wanting to follow in hisis dad’s footballing footsteps.
But he admitted: “I wasn’t’t that good.
“I was horrible as a goalie. I thought I could be a strikerer but they ended up sticking mee at left-back.
“It wasn’t the dream careerr I thought I could have.”
Plan B has shown a bit moree promise. The 6ft 8ins Scotss hope earned himself a proo deal with the Rocks just fourr years a f ter taking upp basketball in his last year at school in Ontario.
He said: “I’d never played before. I just grew nice and tall and my mates told me I should try out for the basketball team and it worked out.
“I was awful at the start. I needed a lot of practice just to do the basics. But I had great team-mates and coaches who’d stay behind to help me and I’m very grateful for that.”
That earned him a chance to play at college in Canada – and a low-key stint at Scottish League outfit Tayside Musketeers in Arbroath, where dad Rab finally ended his playing career with the Red Lichties last season.
Hendry added: “When I heard the Rocks were having trials, I just had to give it a shot.
“It’s been a wild ride. It was good to finally make my debut because it’s been so interesting so far, especially with the Scottish boysy beingg hugeg mentors and helping me develop every day. That’s why I joined here.”
Last Sunday’s blowout win over Worcester Wolves gave the Rocks some relief after a poor start to the season but it also gave coach Darryl Wood the chance to throw Hendry into the fray.
The rookie didn’t disappoint, grabbing five rebounds in less than five minutes to make an instant impression.
Wood said: “The biggest thing with Murray is he has pure athleticism. You can’t underestimate that in any player.
“But he’s also got a positive infectious attitude and a mindset to come in every day and be ready. He’s been working real ly hard in practice and you can def initely see h im get t ing better.”
And he can count on his old man to lend a hand.
Murray , whow could be backb on the benchb for the RaidersR v isit today,t said: “He normallyn comes tot every home gameg but the one gameg he missed wasw my debut becauseb he was in Benidorm.
“But he’s been so supportive. He’s H been such a big bi help.”