Jack’s returning to the European arena with Celts
Jack Hendry already knows all about the nervous excitement that comes with trying to give a Celtic teammate a decent pass in a vital European tie.
The defender hasn’t yet done it as a player on the pitch – but that chance might come this week in the Europa League tie against Zenit St Petersburg.
Hendry was only just into his teens when he was centre stage at Parkhead on a European night as one of the youth players waving a giant flag as the famous Champions League anthem echoed around the stadium.
His ambition then was to come back and experience that atmosphere as a player.
It looked like that was a forlorn hope when he was released by the Hoops in 2011.
Now he’s within touching distance of that dream after proving his worth with Partick Thistle, Wigan and Dundee.
Hendry (22) made his Celtic debut against Kilmarnock last weekend after a £1m transfer.
He said: “Coming through the age groups, I was a ball boy and held the flag in the middle during European matches.
“When the music comes on and the roar comes up, it’s special.
“Those are fond memories for me. It would be very special to step out at Celtic park in the scenario as a player.
“It was against the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona when I took part.
“Callum Mcgregor would have done it around the same time, and maybe even Kieran Tierney.
“I did the ball boy job in SPFL games, too.
“When you are really young, it’s something you get nervous about.
“It sounds crazy, but you’re giving the ball to players you look up to.
“I never got moaned at. I think I was an all right ball boy. You’ve got to be game-savvy, haven’t you?
“Now I’m potentially going to be on that stage. It’s mad.
“When you’re young, you strive to play in this type of game. It’s a dream.
“The chance to play in Europe was one of the main reasons I came back to the club.
“I was at the Anderlecht game earlier this season, but that was the only one I’ve been to in recent times.
“I like watching the European games and came to get a sense of the atmosphere.”
Hendry was ineligible for yesterday’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie win over Partick Thistle, but will be in the squad to face Zenit.
His debut against Kilmarnock ended in defeat, but gave him an instant taste of the pressure and expectation that faces a Celtic player.
He said: “It was a really disappointing result, but on a personal level, I was really proud to go out and make my debut.
“I know the expectations of coming to Celtic. Nothing but a win is acceptable.