Scotland should have won against Slovenia at the weekend, but were instead left to rue gilt-edged chances spurned by Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie.
But their second-half display – on the ball and on the front foot – would have given supporters heading to Hampden cause for optimism.
And yet, Hendry’s rash challenge on Dan Ndoye as he desperately tried to scramble back left Scotland only able to sit in a low block and try to restrict their opponents.
“Your gameplan goes out of the window with the red card,” former Scotland defender Stephen O’Donnell said. “Good sides grind you down and pick you off, that’s what happened.”
Although it was Hendry’s sending off that put Scotland on the back foot, his team-mates rallied round him post-match.
“He tried to apologise to the lads, but the manager was like ‘that’s football, that happens’,” said Gunn, who would likely want at least one of the Swiss goals back.
“We’re a team and we stick together. No-one’s got to apologise for anything.”