“But it was good just to go straight into the deep end. That’s what I’m after, to come out here and play.”

With Scotland facing an all-important Euro 2020 qualifying play-off against Israel on March 27, Hendry is hoping Saturday’s start will serve as the catalyst for a run of form that will push him back into contention for the Scottish national side.

Hendry made his debut for Scotland in March 2018 before going on to make two further appearances that year but has not featured since.

With minutes having dried up in clubland, he knows he has his work cut out to get back into the thoughts of boss Steve Clarke.

“To play in the national setup you need to be playing and unfortunately through injuries and whatnot I haven’t been playing recently,” he said.  

“This [moves to City] gives me a chance to get myself back in the limelight, show the national team coach my attributes. Then it’s up to him.

“Hopefully I can give him a headache in that department because I feel like I’m more than capable of playing in that international scene.

“Every league game in Australia gets streamed on a television station in Scotland. So, it’s very easy I feel to see my games. And with the technology these days it’s easy to see my clips.

“In that case, I think it will be easy for them to watch my games – not in person – but I think he’s more than capable as his backroom staff are of seeing me play.”