Interim boss won’t rule out Celtic return for Hendry

JOHN KENNEDY last night refused to rule out an unlikely return to Celtic for Jack Hendry.

Centre-back Hendry is on a season-long loan at Belgian club KV Oostende, who have announced their intention to take up an option to buy in the summer.

However, the final decision will rest with the player, who told Sportsmail last month that he will wait until the summer before deciding his future.

That stance chimes with Parkhead caretaker boss Kennedy, who has been in regular contact with the 25-year-old as he has earned rave reviews for his performances in the Jupiler Pro League.

Hendry has not started a match for Celtic in more than two years but, asked whether the defender could yet see out a contract that expires in 2022, Kennedy said: ‘That’s something that will need to be addressed in the summer. It will depend on everybody’s situation and people’s opinions. A conversation will probably take place then.

‘Until then, Jack just has to continue to play, get the games under his belt and people will make that decision.’

Part of the coaching staff when Brendan Rodgers brought Hendry to the club in a £1.5million transfer from Dundee in January 2018, Kennedy witnessed first-hand the player toiling with form and confidence.

Already struggling for game time by the time Rodgers left for Leicester City a year later, Hendry fell out of the picture altogether under Neil Lennon. A loan to Melbourne

City last year was cut short by injury but he has thrived since heading to Belgium.

With Kris Ajer moving into the last year of his contract and likely to be sold, Christopher Jullien out injured long term and Shane Duffy’s unhappy loan spell coming to an end,

Celtic will need defensive reinforcements at the end of the season.

‘Jack had a few injuries, so he had an inconsistent time here,’ added Kennedy. ‘But he has now been preparing for a game every week and that consistency has probably been good for him.’