There is a sense of serenity about Jack Hendry. At 28, the well travelled Scotland defender is still in the peak of his career. Being settled is essential to that. For some, Saudi Arabia might not seem like the best place to live, but Hendry is doing well in the Pro League at Al-Ittifaq under Steven Gerrard’s direction.
And Scotland is benefiting from Hendry’s prime as well. This year, he hasn’t missed a single minute of club football. He has also assumed more accountability for his team, which is beginning to produce a string of winning performances. He defeated the Netherlands on Friday night to earn his 29th cap, and he seems to be one of the more likely selections for Steve Clarke’s team to travel to Germany for Euro 2024.
“I’m really enjoying my football to be honest,” said Hendry. “Gerrard has made me a real focal point in defence and I enjoy that, I enjoy being that kind of leader in the back four. In any team, it’s important to have that foundation, and from a defensive point of view in the league we’ve been doing very well, I think we’ve got the second-best defensive record. For me, that means a lot, and hopefully at some point we can be the best, but he’s probably given me a lot of responsibility to be a main part of that back four and I like that, I thrive off that.”
Pro League’s ascent raises eyebrows; Hendry optimistic about its future
The emergence of the Pro League as one of the world’s big hitters does not sit comfortably for everyone. The marquee arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has been backed up by numerous other household names moving to Saudi Arabia. In his next club match, Hendry will be up against Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, and Allan Saint-Maximin. The former Dundee and Celtic defender is in absolutely no doubt it will continue to prosper.
“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,” explained Hendry. “I’ve got to be at the highest concentration each game that I play. Maybe because of the heat then at some points it might be a wee bit slower, the game, 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.”
Last time he came up against Firmino and Co when facing Al-Ahli, Hendry fared well. “We kept a clean sheet against them in the first game, so hopefully we can replicate that again,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed playing against these players this year. We touched upon the Champions League, and those kinds of experiences stand you in good stead. It gives you belief when you come up against these players, you want to get the better of them, and when you do that gives you even more belief to take on anyone really.” Hendry is asked if that sets him up well for the summer. “The Euros is probably the pinnacle along with the World Cup as well, which will hopefully come in the future, but in the Euros, you’re playing against the best players in Europe,” he responded. “That’s the kind of environment I want to be playing in and I enjoy playing against these types of players.”
Hendry took counsel from Clarke about the move, and the Scotland boss approved. “We’ll never know the answer to that!” smiled Hendry if Clarke’s view had been different. But his national team boss’ view is clearly so vital to him. “It would mean the world to be part of that opening game this summer and that’s why I spoke to the manager prior to moving to Saudi, because the national team is so important to me,” said Hendry. “From my point of view, it’s the pinnacle and it means so much to me and my family. It was very important to speak to the manager to discuss it. I’ve played every minute so far, probably the most in my career from a consistency point of view. The calibre of players I’m facing is only going to help and hopefully that’ll stand me in good stead come the Euros.”
Hendry has come a long way since starting his career at Partick Thistle. He can list Wigan Athletic, Shrewsbury Town, MK Dons, Dundee, Celtic, Melbourne City, Oostende, Club Brugge, and Cremonese as his previous clubs. It is quite a list given his age. He is grateful for all the experiences that have come his way but has particular praise for current Rangers manager Philippe Clement, who was his head coach at Brugge.
“He signed me,” explained Hendry. “He’s had a massive part in my development. I was grateful to him at that moment, that experience in the Champions League brought my game on a lot as well. He was very good with me. I had a lot of one-to-ones, he showed me clips of different centre-halves and what he thought I could do and properly believed in me. I was disappointed that was cut short when he went to Monaco, but his pedigree speaks for itself and he’s a very good manager. He was a very good coach and understands the game. He had that winning mentality. I thought we were kind of similar that way, he was very driven and wanted to succeed. I think all the players looked up to him and listened to him when he spoke, and appreciated him.”
