The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Defender Jack Hendry
TRANSFERS: Former Tangerines striker hopes to make an impact for Dark Blues
who left Dundee on transfer deadline day for a club record fee, was yesterday presented as a Celtic player at the Lennoxtown training complex.
Simon Murray was happy to be part of a complicated deadline day transfer chain.
And the former Dundee United striker is hoping to make an instant impact in the dark blue of the Tangerines’ city rivals.
Murray, who is set to make his debut against Ross County tomorrow, said: “The first game at Dens will be special. I am looking forward to helping the team.
“I am delighted to get it done and I am looking forward to being at the game on Saturday.
“I woke up and had a call from (Hibs manager) Neil Lennon. The gaffer here spoke about his plans. As soon as I spoke to him about getting more game time I was keen to get it done.”
Murray’s loan switch from Hibs was only part of the story, with Scott Allan going in the other direction, Scott Bain being transferred to Celtic and Jack Hendry moving to Parkhead making sure all the jigsaw pieces fell into place.
Dundee haven’t revealed the exact sum they will be banking and sources in Wigan suggest they will be due a significant cut.
But it will be a seven-figure fee that the Dark Blues get, as well as add-ons further down the line.
Neil McCann has taken Hendry to a higher level in the short time he has been at Dens and now the 22-year-old expects to further improve under Brendan Rodgers.
“The manager’s just seen a lot in me,” Hendry said. “He’s recognised what I’m good at and what I can bring to the squad, and hopefully I can repay that faith he’s shown in me. I really appreciate it and I’m looking forward to it.
“I feel that I thrive in this kind of environment. I like playing in big games and in big arenas and you don’t get much bigger than Celtic Park, so I feel that it fits me down to a T and that’s why I was so keen to come to this football club – for the surroundings and the history. “There’s no better fit for me.” Hendry added: “It was a very long day but to finally get it done is great. It’s hard to describe the feeling. To be part of this football club is a very proud moment for me.
“I’m very relieved that the deal was finally agreed.
“It was out there for quite a while, so for it to go down to the last day, it was a bit nervous, but I’m really excited to be here now and I can’t wait to get going.
“I just want to get started and that’s what I’m totally focused on.”
Bain’s journey has been even more dramatic. After being banished from the Dundee first team following a fall-out with manager McCann at the end of October, the 26-year-old joined Hibs on loan on New Year’s Day.
But he arrived at Celtic Park in his Hibs tracksuit late on Wednesday to switch loan clubs after the champions failed with two bids for Motherwell goalkeeper Trevor Carson following a knee injury to Craig Gordon.
Bain said: “It sort of sums up football and how crazy it can be, and how the timing affects everything that goes on, but I’m just delighted to be here.
“This is the biggest club in Scotland and one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I just can’t believe that I’m here.
“I can’t believe I was on the bench for Hibs against Celtic last weekend and then, just a few days later, I’m signing for Celtic.”