WE’RE ON THE RISE
Arrival of new boss McInnes has breathed fresh life into Killie, says Hendry
GREETED as a coup for Kilmarnock by most observers, the appointment of Derek McInnes caused no less of a reaction inside the Rugby Park dressing room.
Excitement about the future has been renewed. According to Callum Hendry, who played under McInnes at Aberdeen last season, news of the new manager carried a definite wow factor for the players.
‘It did,’ enthused Hendry. ‘All the boys came up to me straight away and said: “What’s he like?”
‘I don’t think we quite expected it, but it has happened now and you can see from training that all the boys are at it. It was an eye-opener. It was a lot more intense than I have seen it.
‘The gaffer has come in and spoken to all of us. We had a meeting on Thursday morning and now everyone is ready to start picking up some results and getting up and running.’
Ten months after leaving Pittodrie, McInnes raised eyebrows by dropping down to the Championship to continue his managerial career. He inherits a side sitting fourth — five points behind leaders Arbroath — after Tommy Wright was sacked last month amid doubt over the prospects of a rapid return to the Premiership.
‘We just became a bit stale,’ admitted Hendry. ‘When Tommy brought me in (last September), I was excited and I looked forward to it. I have no respect lost for Tommy — I think he is a great man and a great manager.
‘But I just think it went a bit stale and something had to change. I think it is a big statement from Kilmarnock to bring the gaffer in. It’s good.’
The striker has been quick to tell colleagues some of the reasons why McInnes was able to enjoy an eight-year tenure with Aberdeen. Those same skills can now be deployed to ensure Kilmarnock belatedly live up to their tag as pre-season promotion favourites, starting with today’s trip to meet Queen of the South at Palmerston. ‘The first thing I have always said when I have been asked about him is that his man-management is really good,’ added Hendry, who moved to Pittodrie on loan from St Johnstone last January. ‘He is really good at getting the best out of his players. If one week you are not in the team, you are the first to know about it. There are no secrets.
‘I think everyone who plays for him feels comfortable to go and knock on his door, which is important for a manager I think.
‘It’s just the way he is. The training tempo is the best it’s been for a while. He gets the best out of everyone at the same time, which is so important and that’s why he has been successful.
‘I think it is the best thing for us, really. Everyone is on a high now, everyone is wanting to impress, everyone is wanting to do well again. Hopefully we can take that into Saturday and get a bit of form.
‘Everyone in this league sees it as a cup final playing against us. But that’s just how it is and we have to get ourselves up again.’ Hendry has scored five times for the Ayrshire club in his latest loan spell from Saints, but hopes the McInnes factor can raise his own contribution.
‘Obviously he took me to Aberdeen last year, so he sees something in me,’ added the 24-year-old.
‘That fills me with confidence. Training as well, there was a different buzz around the place. Everyone is looking forward to the weekend. It’s good, I am excited.’
He’s not the only member of the Hendry family to feel that way. Dad Colin knows McInnes from their days together at Rangers under Dick Advocaat’s management.
‘He said it was good, impressive from the club,’ grinned the younger Hendry. ‘He just said to me to make sure I do what I did at Aberdeen.
‘I didn’t get to work long with the gaffer at Aberdeen, but I went in and he liked me and when I got in I took my chance. He just said: “Keep doing what you’re doing, keep scoring goals”.
‘I remember when I went up to Aberdeen, the first thing that I did was have a meeting with Derek in his office.
‘The chat was more about family than about football. I think we spent five minutes talking about football and the rest was about how my old man was.
‘I didn’t know how much they knew about each other, but they played at Rangers together. The gaffer was a young boy when dad was playing at Rangers. It’s nice to know there’s a connection there.’
It doesn’t offer any guarantees, though. Hendry is acutely aware of the need to find his best form. Both for Kilmarnock’s immediate aims and his own longer-term future. As it stands, he will become a free agent in the summer as his Rugby Park loan takes him through to the end of his deal in Perth.
‘I am out of contract at the end of the season, so I am open,’ said Hendry. ‘I do not know what is going to happen. But, first and foremost, I need to keep myself in the team and keep scoring goals and keep playing well. As long as I work hard and keep doing that, then it will take care of itself probably.’
Helping Kilmarnock back into the top flight would clearly strengthen his case for a longer stay in Ayrshire.
‘I have not heard anything yet,’ added Hendry. ‘I am just keeping my head down. Hopefully something does come of it because I am happy here. I would be open to anything, really. The main thing is I need to get myself in the team and score some goals.’