‘I LIKED HIM’: BARRY FERGUSON SAYS DEFENDER CELTIC SOLD IN 2021 WASN’T GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE

Barry Ferguson has praised Jack Hendry on Go Radio and thinks the ‘quick’ defender wasn’t given a fair chance at Celtic.

The 28-year-old has had quite the career path so far, winning trophies in the colours of Celtic, playing in Belgium and now in Saudi Arabia.

Even though the ever-growing Saudi Pro League has been trying to push for every big-name possible this summer, there has still been room for the so-called lesser-known names of European football, such as, ex-Celt Jack Hendry.

Ironically enough, after his disastrous spell at Aston Villa, it was Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard who persuaded him to move to the Middle East.

Some would argue that Hendry still has a lot to offer to the European game, with the Saudi Pro League still in the baby stages, in terms of development and growth.

Nonetheless, when talking about Hendry, the defender was lauded by ex-Rangers man Ferguson and how he ‘always liked him’ as a player, as he told Go Radio.

Jack Hendry in Saudi Arabia

“I am not going to knock Jack Hendry for going over and lining his pockets,” said Ferguson.

“I do like him. I even liked him at Celtic. I don’t think he got a fair crack of the whip at Celtic. Obviously, he has been over in Belgium. He went on-loan to Italy. He did really well. And since he has come into the Scotland team, he has done really well. On the ball, he is very good. Defensively solid.

“But going over to Saudi, I know there are a few top players over there, but I would like to have seem to have gone to a different league. Listen, he is still involved in the Scotland set-up. I am sure he would have spoken to Stevie Clarke about that. And he has okayed it. I like him and have always liked him.

“I think he could have stayed at Celtic. But you have to give him credit. He looked at it and said ‘I am not going to get many minutes here’. I think he has really good qualities. He is big, strong and quick. And he is very, very good on the ball.”

Jack Hendry for Scotland

When making such moves to so-called less competitive leagues, it does raise the question as to whether that individual will lose their international place.

Well, as the well-documented Jordan Henderson move to Saudi has proven, it hasn’t been the case.

And Hendry is the same because surely he would have got some form of approval from Steve Clarke, or else, he is just hurting a career that has shown so much promise but just hasn’t been able to hit the consistent heights he would have liked.