LIAM: I NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE PARADISE
Star’s bid to be Rodgers first pick
LIAM HENDERSON has revealed he is determined to stay and fight for his first-team dream at Celtic.
The 20-year-old midfielder has had loan spells at Rosenberg and Hibs but now wants to remain in Glasgow to battle for his place and join in the quest to land a Treble. The closure of the transfer window last Tuesday night means Henderson will be at Parkhead until the end of the season at the least – not that he wants to go anywhere other than Celtic.
“I feel that I have done my apprenticeships,” said Henderson. “I have been out on loan in Norway and through in Edinburgh last
IN THE midst of the madness at McDiarmid Park, Liam Henderson’s quiet contribution to what was a pulsating encounter seemed to slip quietly under the radar.
Overshadowed by Moussa Dembele’s 20-minute hat-trick and Craig Thomson’s penalty call, Henderson could nevertheless feel satisfied that he offered something to think about as he contributed to the win with not just the opening goal but a performance that may well have yielded him the man of the match performance had it not been for his French team-mate stealing the show.
“I could have had a hat-trick in the first half,” smiled the midfielder after the game. “But just to get out and get a start was great.
“It felt good to be out there and making a contribution and obviously all that matters is winning the game, but it was a great feeling to see the ball hit the back of the net for our first goal.”
Aged 20, Henderson hasn’t played a huge amount of firstteam football at Celtic, but he has played a decent amount of Senior football elsewhere.
He went on loan to Hibs last year and came off the bench in May last year at Hampden to help the Easter Road side to their first Scottish Cup in 114 years with a win over Rangers.
Prior to that, he cut his professional teeth in a loan spell with Rosenborg where, again, the reports that came back about his contribution were favourable.
There is an argument to suggest that if he was at any other team in the country Henderson would be a regular feature but given the wealth of competition at Celtic for places in the middle of the park, it there will always be a significant challenge in dislodging some of the regulars.
For Henderson, though, taking any chance that comes his way is necessary as he looks to test himself at the very top level.
“This is where I want to play football,” he said. “I have loved it since the manager came in. He has been really good with me and I know that there are obviously lots of players here and everyone wants a game.
“But for myself I need the chance to be here as long as I can and to give it my best shot to get into the team. The form this season has been nothing short of sensational.
“We have dropped just two points in the league which shows you just how consistent this team have been. Everyone is on a high, it feels like a special chapter in the club is beginning and hopefully I can play a part in that.”
Rodgers is not the only one that Henderson has been im- pressedp by. The Scotland under-21 internationalist has formed a strong friendship off t the park with Scott Sinclair while Kolo Toure’s name emerged again as one of the mentors for the younger players at the club.
Sinclair has arguably been Celtic’s most effective player this season.
The 27-year-old Englishman netted his 16th goal for the club during the 5-2 win over St Johnstone in Perth on Sunday afternoon and Henderson has acknowledged just how instrumental he has been to the way which Celtic have played this season.
SINCLAIR’S threat lends Celtic a perennial menace with his pace, delivery and finishing all capable of inflicting damage.
“He has been outstanding,” said Henderson. “I really enjoy-