Just The Return Ticket

Jack Hendry is delighted to be back where it all started for him as a youngster

- Mark Henderson

JACK Hendry spent seven years dreaming of a return to Paradise, so he didn’t mind waiting until the dying moments of the January transfer window to sign for the Hoops.

Part of the Celtic Youth Academy since the age of nine, he left with a heavy heart as a 16-year-old to forge a career elsewhere, starting with English side Peterborough United. But his Bhoyhood dream never died. And it was a special moment for the defender as he entered Lennoxtown again as a Celtic player following his deadline-day move from Dundee.

There were some familiar faces in the building from his younger days, including former team-mate Jamie Lindsay, back from his loan spell at Ross County as he recuperates from injury. He also caught up with his first-ever coach in the Academy, Martin Miller. It brought back happy memories and now he can’t wait to resume his Celtic story.

“I started as young as you can go and was at the Development Centre in Ayrshire,” he said. “Back then I had a few options, including Rangers and Hearts, and I ended up signing for Celtic and I loved my time here when I was in the younger age-groups, going abroad to tournaments and such. It was brilliant and the coaching was really good. I got to 16 and ventured down south but it was an enjoyable time.

“The first coach I would have had is Martin Miller and I still remember it like it was yesterday, being down at Barrowfield on the  synthetic pitch. Some of the drills we did were really good fun. I bumped into Jamie Lindsay in the corridor, and he was one the lads who joined fairly early on as well. I’m not too sure if there are any other lads left but it was good to see his face and roll back the years.