Celtic: Young defender to start against Zenit
By Nick McAdam
Recent injuries to the Celtic defense might see Jack Hendry start against Zenit St. Petersburg in the Europa League.
The deadline day acquisition came over from Dundee FC for an estimated 1.5 million pounds. It wasn’t the best start for the 22-year-old in an embarrassing loss to sixth-placed Kilmarnock at the weekend.
Yet, a critical injury to Marvin Compper while the Bhoys were training in Dubai might leave Brendan Rodgers no other choice but to start his inexperienced defender.
It’s a tough spot for both Celtic and Hendry. The Celts will have quite a bit to deal with over the course of two legs with scoring threats such as
and Emiliano Rigoni.
A start for the Scot in the Europa League will be some good experience and playing time for Hendry, but at what cost? The back-line is taking a major dip which is really concerning especially after the transfer window.
No depth has really been provided to the defense, and Celtic are arguably in the same scenario that they were before January started.
The likeliness of Compper coming back soon is close to none. Plus, the first leg is kicking off on the 15th of February while the second fixture comes in just seven days later.
It will be a real toll on both Hendry and the rest of the Celts’ back-line. Expect another youngster in Kristoffer Ajer to draw in as well, alongside a likely fullback pair of Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lustig.
Celtic has had a pretty good start to the second-half of the campaign considering the injuries that have occurred. However, those injuries may be catching up with them in situations like this.
This Is Futbol provided some sublime opinion as to how those at Paradise might feel when the starting sheet is handed to them on game day.
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"The young centre-back has only made a total of 57 senior appearances in his career and has never played in a competition as difficult as the Europa League before. Hendry cannot be expected to be able to cope with Zenit’s attack which has seen them sit second in the Russian Premier League. Rodgers may not worry about playing the 22-year-old but supporters will be concerned. Celtic fans will be crossing their fingers that Boyata and Ajer are passed fit for the clash against Zenit."
Supporters will have to wait and see about this recent lineup development. The Bhoys are currently on a five-day break until they square up with Partick Thistle in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
Hendry might have a chance to change some minds in that fixture, so it’s one worth looking out for.
Stay tuned.
Next: 3 predictions for Odsonne Edouard
What would your reaction be if Hendry started against Zenit? Any other defender that you would rather see play? What do you think the chances are of beating Zenit considering Celtic’s recent form? Let us know in the comments section below.