OPINION
Celtic have been busy in the transfer market this season as they look to strengthen their hold on the Premiership title but all of their signings have one thing in common – they are all attackers.
Timothy Weah, Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Oliver Burke have all arrived at Parkhead to help bring an extra cutting edge to the options available at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal and considering the amount of talent already up front, fans will be scratching their heads over why there have not been more signings at the other end of the pitch.
Injuries have decimated the defence at times this season and the Hoops find themselves missing a number of their defensive talents at present, Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic currently ruled out.
It means that Jozo Simunovic and Kristoffer Ajer are the first choice centre backs with 23-year-old giant Jack Hendry, who stands at 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt) next in line – although the Scottish international’s future appears to be up in the air.
The Daily Record claim on their website (28/01, 15:05) that Hendry could be allowed to leave Parkhead on loan in what would be a huge gamble on Rodgers’ behalf, letting one of his only fit defenders depart.
It is a move which could leave the Hoops in the lurch – but the truth is Rodgers is right to be considering taking the risk and he must roll the dice for the good of the club.
Hendry has not played since October and was last named in the senior squad at the start of December, so it is quite clear how much game time he is going to get from now until the end of the season.
Boyata and Benkovic will return – their injuries by no means serious onces – and to be fifth choice centre back, which Hendry would be, would result in mere minutes, if anything, for the 23-year-old.
He might have a future at Celtic but game time is not forthcoming and while it is a gamble for the Hoops this season, sanctioning his exit is an absolute must for the good of both player and club.