Scotland National Team: Jack Hendry The Unlikely Hero as Perfect Storm Solves Clarke Dilemma.
Much Improved: Jack Hendry (Pictured, left) has impressed both domestically and internationally for his respective teams this season.
Jack Hendry’s inclusion in the Scotland squad ahead of the start of the World Cup qualifiers in March caught a few people by surprise. However, the Celtic defender plying his trade on loan at Oostende in Belgium has had a real upturn in his fortunes recently and was rewarded with a Scotland call up by manager Steve Clarke. Hendry played at the right of the back three for Scotland in the last international break, and his positive and assured performance has solved a potentially problematic situation for Steve Clarke at EURO 2020.
When Steve Clarke changed formation and switched to a three at the back in the run-up to the playoff in 2020, it seemed at long last Scotland had found a solution to the Kieran Tierney/Andy Robertson problem. It had long been wondered just how you get those two outstanding left-backs into the same team, and Clarke had found a way.
The change in shape did however throw up a few other issues for the Scotland manager to solve. Perhaps the biggest surprise early on saw Manchester United’s Scott McTominay deployed at the right of the back three. With Scotland seemingly spoilt for choice in McTominay’s natural position of centre midfield and with our defensive options somewhat limited, this decision was seen to be an effective, if short term solution.
Scott McTominay did well in defence for Scotland, but as the season progressed and his club form really improved with McTominay being a standout in midfield, it became clear that the United man was wasted at the back and should probably be playing in his more natural midfield position.
Super Scott: Scott McTominay (pictured) is now playing his preferred position for his national team in central midfield, mirroring his role at Manchester United.
Another problem that came up for Steve Clarke was the injury problems faced by Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack. Jack was a standout for Scotland in the playoff victory in Serbia and being ruled out of the Euros was a blow for Clarke’s men. With Kenny Mclean also being ruled out of the summer tournament, Scotland was facing a problem in midfield and moving McTominay back into midfield seemed the logical option. For this to happen though, Steve Clarke was going to need to find a suitable replacement in defence. Step forward, Jack Hendry.
The idea of Jack Hendry starting in defence for Scotland at EURO 2020 would probably have seemed a bit mad to Scotland and Celtic fans even a year ago. The young man has revitalised his career in Belgium and now looks like a much more accomplished defender. Playing in a back three at club level has certainly helped his Scotland chances as unlike some others in the Scotland squad, he doesn’t have to learn the position and the formation in the limited time of an international break.
As well as already knowing the shape, Hendry possesses a lot of desirable qualities for playing at the right of a back three. He’s comfortable on the ball and confident enough to step into midfield and play when the option is on. We saw his capabilities of moving out of defence with his goal against the Netherlands last week, Hendry pressed the Dutch player high into the opposition half, won the ball and scored a brilliant goal with a low strike from range. Hendry also possesses considerable pace for a defender, something that perhaps gives him the edge on some of the competition for a starting spot.
The emergence of Jack Hendry and the form at club level of Scott McTominay has been the perfect storm for Steve Clarke as the potential issues in his team seemed to have been solved ahead of the Euros. Scotland supporters will be hopeful that the likes of Hendry and McTominay can be star performers in a successful summer.