ROYAL ARE RUMBLED
Hendry reverses his opinion on Rangers’ Europa rivals after change of boss
IN A lengthy conversation with Sportsmail before Christmas, Jack Hendry described Royal Antwerp as the best side he’d encountered in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League. Encouragingly for Rangers, the on-loan Celtic defender has had cause to reassess that opinion ahead of the commencement of the Europa League knock-out stages.
A fortnight spent in Covid isolation has given Hendry plenty of time to think and, as he’s weighed up the competition, the 25-year-old has come to realise that his Oostende side have a genuine shot at rivalling Antwerp for Champions League qualification.
Oostende claimed an impressive win at Antwerp just last month and on that day Hendry sensed that the opposition were not quite as free-flowing as the side he’d faced earlier in the campaign.
A change of coach has been significant. Croat Ivan Leko found a formula to beat Jose Mourinho’s
Tottenham and qualify from a tough Europa League group section but abandoned ship to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port on New Year’s Day.
His replacement Franky Vercauteren is one of Belgium’s most venerated players and starred as a World Cup semi-finalist with the national team in 1986, but Hendry sees little evidence of the flair that defined the former winger’s playing career in his new team.
‘I remember making that statement about Antwerp but I wouldn’t say that now,’ says Hendry. ‘They have been on a really good run of results but, when we played last month, I didn’t get the same ‘team’ feeling from them as I did the first time.
‘They were more dangerous when we drew with them in November and had a real philosophy of playing. They’ve changed manager and this time round it felt as if the players wanted to play but were being told to go a wee bit more direct.
‘They now play more like a British team. We played Standard the week after and they wanted to move the ball much more.’
Hendry also feels Antwerp are suffering through the ongoing absence of star striker Dieumerci Mbokani, who has missed the last seven games with a calf injury.
In Mbokani’s place the main striker’s role has been given to the controversial Didier Lamkel Ze, the Cameroonian who sparked outrage among supporters when he turned up at the club’s training ground wearing the shirt of rivals Anderlecht in protest at being denied a transfer to Panathinaikos.
The change of manager has seen the 24-year-old back in favour but, although Ze has been scoring regularly, he is suspended for Thursday’s first leg against Rangers due to a red card he picked up 18 months ago.
‘Of all the strikers at Antwerp, Mbokani offers most. If he is not fit, and he’s been out for a few weeks now, they will bring in Felipe Avenatti, who they signed from Standard Liege.
‘He is quite tall but he’s not as good as Mbokani and doesn’t offer the same goal threat as Lamkel Ze.
‘He’s suspended for this week but he will be a threat to Rangers in the second leg. He is one of those players who is really unorthodox and can do anything in the 90 minutes.
‘He can be quiet for the full game and then pop up and score a 30-yard screamer, which he has made a habit of recently. There is no doubt he is talented, he is a bit of a hothead, turning up to the training ground with the shirt on. I think he wanted out because of the ex-manager. Now he’s getting played, I think there’s a bit of value in him.
‘He is 6ft 4ins and very slim. He is not like an Mbokani type, muscly and strong, he is quite unorthodox but he needs to put himself about as they play long balls.
‘I wouldn’t say he is a serial hard-worker. You can see he wants to win but he is just not a player who does it for 90 minutes. That’s
‘THEY SEEMED MUCH MORE DANGEROUS WHEN WE MET IN NOVEMBER’
just the type of character he is. His actions have put a lot of weight on his shoulders. He has a lot to make up for.
‘But he has been scoring in every game he has played in – apart from against us…’
Antwerp currently sit second in the league standings but trail leaders Club Brugge by a double-digit margin and Hendry feels Rangers, who have looked perfectly at ease in a European setting under Gerrard, need have no fear about what awaits them this week.
‘I would say Rangers are the favourites, simply because they have become established in Europe over the last couple of seasons.
‘This is the first time Antwerp have qualified for a while. It has been a successful journey so far, they came out of a group containing Tottenham and LASK Linz quite easily, which is an achievement.
‘I wouldn’t underestimate them but I just feel they are not as good as they were under the previous manager. It will be an interesting game for me. Having beat them recently, it will be interesting to see how Rangers get on.’
Thursday’s round-of-32 tie will be played in Antwerp’s Bosuilstadion but, unlike on Rangers’ last visit to Belgium, there will be no supporters in the stadium.
A few thousand Standard fans were present to see Kemar Roofe’s astonishing stoppage-time strike carry all the way from the Rangers half over keeper Arnaud Bodart’s head and into the net.
A resurgence in coronavirus cases saw the practice of admitting socially-distanced spectators abandoned.
And, yet, Oostende are not
complaining at how the strange circumstances have delivered opportunity.
Used to fighting at the other end of the league, they have been enjoying a fine season, with Hendry playing a star turn as the central defender in a back three.
Currently placed fifth in the table, they are just one place short of commanding a ticket to Europe’s premier club competition.
‘It’s crazy to say this because we finished second bottom last season,’ continues Hendry.
‘We had 22 points when it ended after 29 games and this season we are already on 39 points after 26 games.
‘So that shows the leap we have taken. Anything is possible. We are currently fifth but are very close to getting into that top four. Of that four, the only team we haven’t beaten is Brugge. So why not?
‘We have worked very hard to get into this position, so hopefully we can push on.’
This time last year, Hendry was convalescing after an operation on a knee injury sustained during only his second appearance of a loan spell at Melbourne City.
Having been confined to barracks after contracting Covid last month, he feels similarly frustrated at missing several games, including a cup defeat to Cercle Brugge in midweek.
‘It’s been the longest two weeks ever,’ groans Hendry. ‘It was around this time I did my knee last season, so I hope I don’t get hit with something else next year!
‘I’ve been using a treadmill in the house but it’s not the same.’
While many footballers who return a positive Covid test remain asymptomatic, Hendry admits he has been affected.
‘I’ve lost my sense of smell and taste, so I can’t even enjoy my food,’ he says. ‘If you’ve ever been around a smoker, I get that kind of smokey taste when I haven’t eaten for a while.
‘I had a couple of days where my nose and ears were blocked up and I was getting headaches, nothing too serious but it wasn’t pleasant.
‘I’ve read it can take months for the taste to come back but hopefully that’s not the case because I enjoy my food.
‘I said to my girlfriend earlier that at least I’m not eating rubbish. I can’t enjoy a chocolate bar, so might as well have some lettuce!
‘But these are small complaints and nothing compared to how some people out there have been suffering.’