Jack Hendry set for Saudi switch, Anthony Ralston taking nothing for granted

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The Celtic Star

·21 April 2026

Jack Hendry set for Saudi switch, Anthony Ralston taking nothing for granted

Former Celtic defender Jack Hendry is poised to remain in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal preparing an attractive proposal to secure his signature ahead of the summer transfer window…

Roland Sallai of Hungary competes for the ball whilst under pressure from Jack Hendry of Scotland during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Scotland and Hungary at Stuttgart Arena on June 23, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old centre-back is expected to leave Al-Ettifaq when his contract expires, after the club revealed it cannot meet the financial terms required to keep him. That has opened the door for a move elsewhere within the Saudi Pro League.

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Al-Hilal are understood to be in discussions over a deal to bring Hendry to Riyadh on a free transfer, viewing his experience as a strong addition to their defensive options following several seasons in the region.

The club, managed by Simone Inzaghi, boasts a squad packed with high-profile players including Karim Benzema, Darwin Nunez, Ruben Neves and Theo Hernandez.

Scotland player Jack Hendry pictured in the line up before the international friendly match between Scotland and Northern Ireland at Hampden Park on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Hendry has featured 27 times this season and continues to play an influential role for Scotland, with Steve Clarke expected to include him in his plans for this summer’s World Cup in the United States.

Meanwhile, Jack Hendry’s Scotland teammate Anthony Ralston insists he has one eye on this summer’s World Cup after netting in Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over St Mirren on Sunday.

He said via Daily Record: “That’s always my mentality, I don’t take anything for granted. Football is a crazy game, you know, and that’s why days like today I need to keep taking my opportunities.”

“I need to keep proving myself to, to hopefully get in that squad. Obviously that’s my, that’s my aim, as well as obviously gaining success and winning trophies with Celtic.”

“I’ve got a lot that keeps me going and a lot that drives me every day to be at my best. That’s the aim for everyone. Everybody’s collective here, you know, we’re all hungry, we’ve all got the desire.”

Anthony Ralston celebrates during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

“We know it’s been a tough season, but there’d be nothing better than to go and get the Double. So that’s what our main aim is going to be now.”

“Those things can lead to another. But that’s for later down the line. I’ve got enough on my plate now to try and win more, so I’m going to keep trying my best to win more trophies at Celtic, you know, going into the end of the season, and also be successful internationally as well. I’ve got a lot to keep me going between now and then.”

Conor Spence