Celtic fell a goal down in their crucial home leg of the Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg on Wednesday night, and it left Celtic fans bemoaning the state of the their defence.
Jack Hendry in particular came in for sustained criticism from many Celtic fans, with the 23-year-old and Cristian Gamboa at fault for Birger Meling’s 15th minute goal.
Some fans questioned the decision to let Erik Sviatchenko go and keep Hendry, and pointed to the game as proof that Brendan Rodgers needs to strengthen his defence immediately.
Hendry moved to Celtic from Dundee in a £1million move in January and has played 14 times for his new club. Some fans will be hoping it’s his last after tonight.
Better news came just before half-time, however, as Odsonne Edouard continued his scoring form, equalising in the 43rd minute.
Here are the best reactions to Hendry’s first-half display:
https://twitter.com/bendywatter/status/1022199249646305280
#CELRBK Jack Hendry needs to step it up right now. He's been appalling since the day he signed for #celtic this is where the big boys play. #growup
— ?Sned (@Celtsherewego88) July 25, 2018
Bendtner vs Hendry is a no contest, and should never have been allowed to happen, given what we knew at the end of the season
— J (@johnab477) July 25, 2018
So we let sviatchenko go and have replaced him with Jack Hendry? ?
— Richard Murphy (@RichardMurphy80) July 25, 2018
Still canny see who thought selling svietchenko for hendry was a good bit a business
— Marc McCallum (@marcmccallum) July 25, 2018
Big hendry is an imposter
— Stevie (@BigStevie_) July 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/_CalMac42_/status/1022198481409196033
Jack Hendry is having an absolute shocker here. Rosenborg have smartly matched him up at Bendtnar and it's …..just no fair.
1-0 Rosenborg 28mins
— ByTheMinute Celtic (@ByTheMinCeltic) July 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/SG18881967/status/1022198191003971584
OPINION
Not a great start for Celtic and you’ve got to blame the defence. Hendry really struggled against the imposing former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, which seemed like a complete mismatch at times. However, Odsonne Edouard came to the rescue just before half-time and we still think that Celtic will edge this one. That away goal could be vital though and it’s crucial that Celtic don’t concede again in the second half. And it’s also key that they rattle in at least two more goals. Celtic fans would have been hoping it wasn’t so edgy tonight, but as some fans said, with Hendry and Gamboa at the back, what did Rodgers expect?