Celtic isn’t an easy club to succeed at, and many individuals have enjoyed more fruitful times in their careers after leaving Parkhead for a new challenge elsewhere.
Of course, that isn’t to say that the players in question aren’t talented; however, there can be several mitigating factors that lead to this process unfolding.
Former Bhoy Jack Hendry is someone who falls into this category. Despite being signed during Brendan Rodgers’ first tenure in 2018, the Scotland international endured a difficult time at the club, truth be told.
Overall, the Glasgow-born defender made 27 appearances for his boyhood team before embarking on a series of spells at KV Oostende, Club Brugge, US Cremonese and his current side, Al-Ettifaq [Transfermarkt].
Experiencing different ways of working in several countries has helped Hendry to nail down his place in the national set-up under Steve Clarke, and he could well be involved at EURO 2024 this summer.
The 28-year-old deserved credit for managing to turn his career around following his time at Celtic and previously encouraged Scottish players to move abroad amid his own success.
He stated back in 2021: “I’d say to any lads out there thinking to move abroad to use me as example that it can work and if you back yourself and put yourself in the right mindset you can go and achieve the things I’ve done.”
Former Celtic man Jack Hendry opens up on Saudi Arabia life
Now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League, Hendry plays alongside the likes of ex-Hoops favourite Moussa Dembele and Georginio Wijnaldum at Al-Ettifaq.
On the flip side, he also has the opportunity to take on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Riyad Mahrez and Neymar in the Gulf region, to name a few star-studded names.
Cited via The Scotsman, the ex-Celtic man has opened up on life after Parkhead and the challenges of playing against some of the world’s best.
He stated: “Obviously, if you are not watching it every week, then it’s easy to look at it in certain ways, but if you look at the calibre of players that are playing on a weekly basis – especially in the front end of the pitch – it’s extremely strong and that’s only going to continue to grow.
Hendry then added, “I’ve got to be at the highest concentration in each game that I play. Maybe because of the heat, then at some points, the game might be a wee bit slower, but that’s why you have to keep your concentration at a very high level, because you can get caught out at any moment.
“So, yeah, it’s a tough league. It’s only going to continue to grow, and if you look at the calibre of players that are out there just now, that will only continue to grow as well. It’s a league that is definitely heading in the right direction.”
Going toe-to-toe with a selection of the footballing elite can only be an enriching experience for a player, and it seems like Hendry has taken it all in his stride.
Undoubtedly, he flattered to deceive at Celtic; however, he has proved a lot of people wrong in the years since, which is pleasing to see.