“Congrats Jackie Boy,” Oostende Delight as Celtic’s Jack Hendry named Best Player in Belgian Pro League | OneFootball

Jack Hendry has been named the best player in the Belgian Pro League this season. The Celtic defender is on a season-long loan at Oostende and his performances there have attracted interest from various English Premier League sides as well as Scotland boss Steve Clarke who last month brought the former Dundee defender back into the national side.

News of the the award from the highly regarded football magazine Sport Voetbal, who have tracked and rated every player over the course of the 34-game season, will further enhance Hendry’s reputation which frankly had been battered after a confidence shattering early spell at Celtic following his £1.5m transfer from Dundee in January 2018.

Hendy’s average score of 6.48 per game over the 34 game campaign was enough to ensure top spot ahead of Genk’s Japanese winger Junya Ito.

The Celtic defender was clearly delighted with the news of his win and speaking direct to Sport Voetbal he stated that winning the award was a great honour. “Of course I am incredibly proud of it. This recognition by the largest football magazine in Belgium is a great honour.”

Hendry remains under contract at Celtic but Oostende do have an agreement to buy in place for a fee of around £2m and the Belgian side are keen to proceed with this, particularly as the Scotland defender could easily be sold to England for around £10m given the level of interest in him.

“I know as much about that as you do: nothing,” Hendry said on the deal to bring him to Oostende from Celtic on a permanent basis. “I thank KVO for being able to show my talent. Oostende has a purchase option and they want to activate it.

“The matter now is to reach an agreement. My wish is to play at the highest level, that is clear. And that can be in any competition.

“Here I was more tested by quality. In Scotland you had four to five good strikers in the competition. Here are more. That’s nice for a defender, you can show yourself more. That is also why I am happy with that first year here.

“The fact that even at the bottom of a team like Waasland-Beveren, with Michael Frey, has a good striker, says something about the value of this championship.”

The Celtic man also took to social media to thank Oostende: “Thank you!! Very happy to be awarded this by @SportVoetbal, great season for the club and now a big push to get into Europe via play offs” after the Belgian side tweeted “Congrats Jackie Boy!”