Celtic teenager Liam Henderson boosted by loan stint

Liam Henderson does not feel he missed out on Celtic's Scottish title celebrations because his loan stint in Norwegian football will benefit his long-term future at the club.

Henderson, 19, spent three months with Rosenborg after boss Ronny Deila decided he would benefit from a spell in his homeland.

The Scotland U19 midfielder helped the former Champions League quarter-finalists regain top spot in the Tippeligaen as he netted four goals in 13 appearances.

The teenager said: "I don't feel like I missed out while I was away. I came on during the League Cup final and managed to get a winner's medal there. I was involved last year when we won the league.

"I was away for three months with Rosenborg but I'm thinking about the long-term.

"I want to be here for a long time and hopefully I can win plenty of trophies in the future. That's been my main aim since I was a little boy."

Henderson was speaking ahead of Friday's final warm-up clash with Real Sociedad.

Celtic will then have to negotiate Champions League second-round qualifiers against Icelandic minnows Stjarnan. 

The Parkhead home clash is scheduled for July 15 ahead of the trip to Iceland a week later. 

Henderson added: "I enjoyed being out in Norway but it's really good being back in with the boys here now.

"I definitely feel I've come back a better player - and a better person too. I feel like I learned a lot out there in a short space of time. I've really grown up and I'm more mature now. I'm sure that will help me in the future.

"Living by myself out in Trondheim, I realised what I've got back here. Maybe I took things for granted but out there I realised how much it means to play for Celtic and how much I want to do well here.

"It was the first time fending for myself, having to cook and clean up on my own. But getting that life experience will hopefully help the football side of things."