KENNEDY: JACK BACK
■ Gordon Parks
John Kennedy says forgotten man Jack Hendry could still have a future at Celtic.
The Hoops caretaker has refused to rule out revisiting an agreement with Belgian side Oostende, who are keen
to take up the option of making his loan deal permanent this summer.
Hendry fa i led to cement a first-team spot under Neil Lennon and jumped ship to the Jul iper Pro League, where he’s been a hit for a side that sit fourth.
That career revival has placed the Scotland cap on the radar of Burnley, Wolves and Werder Bremen but Kennedy admits Celtic could be forced into a rethink.
He said: “Jack came in for a period and it didn’t quite work out. He had periods in the team and periods not then the decision came to put him out to play.
“We had a number of centre-halves ahead of him and he recognised that and that we had to come to an agreement to get him out playing.
“It is good that he has done well. I have spoken to him several times.
“It was a decision made at the time based on what we had.
“That will be something to be addressed in the summer. I don’t think a decision will be made unt i l then but a conversation will take place probably then.
“Until then he just has to continue to play, get the games under his belt and people will make that decision.
“Having spoken to him, I know game time is what he has enjoyed the most.”
Kennedy’s immediate focus is on banking three points against Dundee
United this lunchtime. He’s adamant building on last weekend’s win over Aberdeen and not auditioning for the job is occupying his mind.
He said: “I’m honestly not taking myself into consideration because if I start doing that, it becomes about me.
“It then becomes me showing myself and that might not be what’s right for the team and the club at this time.
“Everything I do is what is the right thing for now – and I’ll do that the best I possibly can.
“I’ve very much had a great time here but for this time I’ve got to very much focus on what I need to do on a daily basis and, leading into games, what I think is the right thing for everyone.
“Just park my own ambition, my own ego, to the side and deal with what comes my way.
“I’ve spoken to both Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond over the last week and a bit and they’ve been great, very supportive.
“They understand the position we are in.
“When things don’t go so well at a club this size people go for victims, they go on the attack and ‘ What’s the problem?’
“They are experienced guys who have the club at heart. Everybody needs to get on board with that.
“We’ve got to get back to the levels we know we are capable of.”