Talks scheduled: Celtic expected to seal Jan swoop for stylish top-flight defender – report

Wed 27 December 2017 7:44, UK

Celtic were scheduled to hold talks with Dundee’s “stylish” defender Jack Hendry after Boxing Day’s clash between the two Scottish Premiership sides, according to a report.

The Daily Mail claims that the Hoops are “widely expected” to sign Hendry, 22, in January as Brendan Rodgers aims to further improve his options at centre-back.

It is understood that up to 18 scouts were in the stands at Dens Park on Tuesday, with many of them keeping tabs on Hendry’s performance against the Hoops, including a host of Premier League clubs.

Southampton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are believed to have sent out their recruitment experts to keep an eye on the Glasgow-born centre-back, who has been performing brilliantly in the Scottish top-flight with Dundee this term, to the point where he is being compared to Manchester City’s John Stones.

The Scottish centre-back has made 26 appearances across all competitions for Dundee this season, scoring two goals in the process.

Football Insider exclusively revealed earlier this month that Rangers were ready to join Celtic in the hunt to sign Hendry in January.

Football Insider verdict

At 22-years-of-age, Hendry needs to be someone that Celtic can sign up and bring straight into their first-team, but due to his relative lack of experience that had seen him play just five games in Scotland before this season, he is probably not someone who could play in the Hoops senior squad. Hendry may be a bit of a waste of an investment, especially with Marvin Compper is set to arrive next month. Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic are likely to still be on the books while Kristoffer Ajer has made huge progress in his recent appearances. Hendry’s arrival could stifle Ajer and the Norwegian’s emergence should mean that Rodgers’ centre-back options are good enough.