The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hendry is staying put, says McCann
Boss plays down speculation over young Dark Blues defender’s future
Dundee boss Neil McCann has defiantly declared that star defender Jack Hendry is going nowhere.
The 22-year-old has been a revelation since joining the Dark Blues from Wigan during the summer.
His performances have earned him rave reviews including praise from Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.
Yesterday, the Hoops were once again heavily linked with making a move for the player who started his career at Partick Thistle.
However, McCann insisted the only other team the ball-playing centre-half will be turning out for in the near future is the national one if he keeps playing the way he has been for Dundee.
The manager said: “I am not interested in who Jack is linked with.
“I think that due to his performances it is natural there will be interest.”
McCann continued: “I think that due to his performances it is natural there will be interest.
“I think international recognition wouldn’t be too far away for someone who is playing the way Jack is.
“He is one of a number of players who have been doing really well of late.”
McCann added: “I think we complement how Jack wants to play.
“We have brought him up from down south and the way we want to play as a team and how we want to imprint our philosophy has allowed Jack to blossom as it has done with a number of players.
“That’s the platform we are trying to get here. We are trying to get players to come here and improve.
“That is my job as manager first and foremost, to make them and the team better to get better results. That’s what we are trying to do and Jack is a player who certainly in my opinion has done that.
“But I am not interested in speculation, to be honest. Jack signed for two years in the summer. I am not expecting him to go anywhere. I don’t want him to go anywhere. I have a team that has too much to do in terms of where I want to take the club. I am not looking for anybody to start disappearing out the door.”
Another player who has been linked with a move elsewhere is Mark O’Hara but McCann reiterated that he is determined the goal-scoring midfielder’s future lies at Dens.
The manager – who also batted back reports of out-of-favour keeper Scott Bain being wanted by Hibs – said: “Again it is speculation and I am not interested. I have opened talks with a number of players here. I am trying to build something here going forward and Mark is a very important part of that.”
Two of the players McCann is looking to discuss new contracts with are striker A-Jay Leitch-Smith and defender Jon Aurtenetxe.
The former’s loan deal from Shrewsbury Town and the latter’s short-term contract both run out next month but the manager is keen for them to stay.
He said: “Yes, absolutely. These boys have signed short-term deals and I think they have made impacts.
“Jon has had to be very patient to get into the side but he has coped really well and played a big part in our recent results.
“A-Jay has probably been a little frustrated as he has not been involved but he showed on Saturday (against Partick) that he can have a big impact for the side. “So these discussions are ongoing.” McCann admitted he was also looking to possibly add to his squad in the January transfer window.
He added: “If you asked any manager, it’s the same, they have a wee Christmas list.
“I am no different from the kids and I am looking for something come Christmas.
“If I can get a wee player in the January sales, that would do me nicely.”
Meanwhile Roarie Deacon, who sat out the Partick game with a quad injury, is set to miss Saturday’s visit to Motherwell.