Celtic defender opens up on injury torment

Former Dundee defender Jack Hendry faces a race against time to play again this season as Australian football rumbles on despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The on-loan Celtic player has opened up on his injury hell Down Under but sees a light at the end of the tunnel and is targeting a return to action in the next month, even if it is behind closed doors.

Hendry signed a loan deal with Melbourne City at the end of January and was named in the A-League team of the week after an impressive debut.

His elation quickly turned to despair, though, as he went down with a knee injury in the final minute of his second appearance.

He said: “When I first did it I felt like the world was against me. I had a tough time last season with my hamstring.

“I started really well and did well in my first two games then I suffered an injury in the last minute. I was suddenly on the other side of the world by myself.

“Those first few hours were hard and I had a lot of negative thoughts but Melbourne City and my family were great with me.

“They helped me get through it and I am looking to come back even stronger.”

Former Dundee star Hendry is hoping to repay the efforts made by his temporary club by getting back out on the pitch in the next four weeks.

“It was the last minute when I chased a ball down the channel. The pitch was so dry and as I made the tackle my knee got caught in the surface.

“My knee went one way and my body went the other. I heard the pop and I knew right away.

“I knew my knee was unstable then the physio did the test and told me my MCL had gone and I was sent for a scan.

“Two days after that I had my surgery and they were hoping to get me back for the end of the season and, hopefully, the play-offs.

“That, however, looks to be thrown into doubt with the coronavirus and they are trying to squeeze games into a short space of time to get the season over quicker.”

On his recovery, he added: “I am getting there. The first couple of weeks were really tough because I was out by myself and I have never really felt pain like it.

“Since the surgery it has been a lot better and the medical team out here have been first class and really pushed me on.

“The first couple of days I was in tears with such pain trying to get from the bedroom to the bathroom.

“I had no one over here and I was on crutches. I couldn’t carry anything and I couldn’t weightbear because I was in so much pain. It was really difficult. I was getting Uber Eats, deliveries and the club chef was really good making meals for me to eat or the club staff were getting me stuff from the supermarket. The club have been brilliant.

“It is six weeks yesterday since I had the surgery. I am off the crutches and I am quite a bit ahead of the schedule.”

A-League chiefs announced yesterday morning they would play the next five rounds of fixtures behind closed doors with only essential matchday personnel in attendance as they attempt to finish off their season as quickly as possible.

Jack Hendry has suffered badly with injuries.