Nobody in the Premiership has done more in the first half of the season to earn a ‘supersub’ tag than St Johnstone’s Callum Hendry.
And the young striker joked that his incredible goalscoring record coming off the bench isn’t doing his chances of becoming a regular match starter, rather than match finisher, any good.
Hendry, whose substitute goals have resulted in two league wins and two league draws as a substitute, said: “I’m killing myself from starting games because I’m doing so well coming off the bench!
“But it’s the same as every week and I just want to come in and do well.
“I always want to do what I can for the team and that is whether we are losing or winning. I don’t mind if it’s about seeing the game out.
“I want to be starting but, in hindsight, after a game I’m not too bothered because I’ve come on and scored.
“Obviously if I come on and don’t score, then I wished I had started and had got more time to make a difference.
“Any footballer would say that they want to start games. But as long as I’m getting a chance and making a difference, I’m happy to do that.”
Hendry’s professional career was interrupted by injuries in its early years, meaning he hasn’t banked the game-time you might expect for a 22-year-old.
“I’ve not played 90 minutes this season and haven’t had it for years since I had my injuries,” he said.
“To get a run of 90 minutes would be really good for me. But, as I say, if I can come off the bench and do what I’m doing then I’m happy.
“There is always more pressure when you start games because you need to keep your place. That is a hard thing to do.
“And especially when you have good competition like Chris Kane and Stevie May.”
Hendry’s last goal of 2019 was also the last for St Johnstone of the decade. It secured a point against Ross County but it was a match the McDiarmid Park men deserved to win.
“Against Ross County, even though I scored, it felt like we lost,” he reflected.
“We definitely should have taken all three points.
“The boys played well but it was just one of those games. We switched off for a split second and we conceded to go back to square one.
“I’m glad we didn’t lose and of course I was glad it was me that made the difference to get a point.
“If you look at the last five games, it has been a lot better. Everyone is going into the break positive and hopefully we can carry on our run.
“We were bottom last month and it’s crazy, but that is football. We have to hit the ground running when we come back.
“I know it’s Morton in the Scottish Cup but that is just as important. If we get a result there, we can take it into the next league game.”
Hendry is spending his time off before the season resumes with dad Colin and his family in Lancashire.
“I didn’t see my family during the Christmas period because we had games,” he said.
“Now we have the break so there is time to spend with the family back in Lytham.”
