The rise of the Saudi Arabian league is one that has intrigued the Celtic support of late.
Losing Jota last summer in a £25m move was gut-wrenching for the Celtic fans as the Portuguese winger had become a real favourite within the Parkhead support.
Another brilliant player with big Celtic connections, Moussa Dembele, also made the switch to the Saudi Pro League after former Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard snapped him up in a free transfer two summers ago.
Whilst many question the merits of going to a footballing backwater, there is no denying that the money on offer to players in the oil-rich state will have played a part in the decision to make the move to the Middle East.
But not for former Celtic defender, Jack Hendry.
Hendry want’s to win trophies like he did ‘at Celtic’
A Brendan Rodgers signing in his first spell at the club, Jack Hendry struggled to make a name for himself at the club and eventually found himself loaned to Belgian side KV Oostende before making a permanent move to the Belgian league.
An eventual move to Club Brugge materialised but was quickly frozen out before he joined Gerrard at Saudi side Al-Ettifaq.
Asked if money motivated his move, Hendry refuted that suggestion and namechecked Celtic as one of the reasons for the Saudi switch.
Hendry said [Daily Telegraph Sport print edition page 2], “Certainly not.
“I want to do well and win things and I have done that at my previous clubs – at Celtic, at Club Brugge.
“Everyone is very friendly, very accommodating. Until you are out here you might not see that.
“The British press like to put stuff down but I can certainly say it’s a very good lifestyle.”
Winning two league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup at Celtic over two seasons at Celtic is not a bad return.
Following that up with another league title and Belgian Super Cup with Brugge is also good going for the Scotland defender.
However, finishing in sixth place with Al-Ettifaq on 48 points, half of what current champions Al-Hilal have, suggests it’s going to be some time before Hendry gets his hands on silverware again any time soon.