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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Matthew Gallagher

Callum Hendry: Current focus is on scoring goals and league safety not contract situation

Callum Hendry admits now is not the time to talk about his contract situation.

Instead the St Johnstone striker is purely focused on keeping the goals flowing in the quest for Premiership safety.

Hendry added another to his tally on Saturday - this time from the penalty spot - as Saints edged out Livingston 1-0 to reduce the gap to 10th placed St Mirren to just six points.

The in-form Perth forward’s contract is up at the end of the season but that is currently not at the forefront of his thinking.

Hendry told the PA: “My dad is my agent and he has said ‘Cal, don’t worry about, keep doing what you’re doing’.

“It’s about keeping this team in the division and scoring goals. That is what matters to me.

“The contract is the last thing on my mind right now. I’m enjoying my football and that is how it’s going to be.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been playing every week and enjoying my football.

“I don’t want to think about the contract at the minute.”

Hendry’s finish from 12 yards to sink Livingston was his seventh since returning from his Kilmarnock loan in January.

His all-round contribution has been fantastic and he is certainly a man playing with confidence.

“I have always believed in my ability and knew I would get back to it,” he explained.

“But, to be honest, I didn’t know where or when it would be.

“I’m happy it’s for the club that gave me the start of my professional career. I owe St Johnstone so much.

“This is where I started and I’m delighted I’m doing it for this club. Hopefully I can carry on and we stay in this division.

“The harder you work the more luck you create for yourself. I’ve always thought that.

“I always try to take my chance. The club needed me and that is why I was recalled by the gaffer in January.

“I’m enjoying it, I’m confident and I don’t think there’s much more to it. I don’t ever want to over think it.”

Confidence was certainly on display when he quickly took control from the spot in the third minute, despite the interest of strike partner Nadir Ciftci.

“He was fine about it,” Hendry smiled. “Strikers want to score goals, that is just how it is.

“Me and Nadir have a good relationship, like I do with everyone at the club. He understood I was going to take it.

“This is probably the most confident I’ve been. The last time I felt like this was before Covid halted the season. I’m loving playing every minute and I’m getting fitter.

“Playing is the most important thing for me but scoring goals makes it even better.”

Two wins on the bounce have given Saints the best possible chance of clawing back those above them.

“A lot of teams now know that we’re not finished,” Hendry said.

“I don’t think teams will want to play us because we have so much momentum behind us.

“All of these boys are fighters and they will graft.”

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