Celtic wanted Jack Hendry but the Dundee star’s move to Parkhead is in doubt – leaving the coast clearer for Premier League giants Newcastle United.
Celtic will have to double their opening bid if they are to tempt Dundee to part company with highly-rated centre-back Jack Hendry this month.
The Mail stated after Christmas that the champions had made a £500,000 bid for the classy 22-year-old. But Dundee are not willing to sell for such a measly amount and have demanded a fee of £1.5 million according to the Sunday Post.
And the same publication states that Celtic, who want to enhance their defensive depth after letting Erik Sviatchenko leave, are unwilling to meet the price-tag slapped on Hendry’s head by his current employers.
This is despite the fact that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers publically sang the praises of the ‘outstanding’ former Wigan man, or the fact that Hendry will surely be worth far more than £1.5 million in few years or even months.
And with Celtic unwilling to meet Dundee’s demands, they are risking the prospect of Hendry slipping through their grasp for good. After all, Newcastle United are just one of a number of Premier League sides credited with an interest, according to The Mail.
Mike Ashley’s reluctance to invest has left manager Rafa Benitez searching for bargains and they do not come much cheaper than Hendry; one of the top young defenders in Scottish football.
For such a minimal fee, Newcastle should not think twice about making the ball-playing centre-half their first January signing.
And Celtic would only have themselves to blame if Hendry enjoys a meteoric rise similar to that of the player he is so often compared to: Manchester City’s John Stones.
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