Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson aims for first-team spot
Sunday 16 October 2016 13:22, UK
Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson is determined to become a regular in the first-team under manager Brendan Rodgers.
The 20-year-old made his debut for the Hoops three years ago as a late substitute in a 5-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.
After showing much promise with Celtic he went to Norwegian side Rosenborg on loan and then to Hibernian last season, where he played a vital role in helping the Edinburgh club win the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years last season.
Henderson returned to Celtic Park in the summer and following two substitute appearances under Rodgers, he made his first start in the 2-0 win at home to Motherwell on Saturday.
A Scott Sinclair strike and a late Moussa Dembele penalty kept the Hoops four points clear of main title challengers Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand.
And the Scotland U21 international believes his decision to remain at the club, rather than move elsewhere on loan, will prove fruitful.
Henderson said: "When I came back I had quite a lot of teams interested in taking me on loan but I spoke to my family, friends, older experienced players I have played with and I speak to the manager regularly.
"I have done my loans. I have been out on two loan spells and I would like to think I have been pretty successful in those loan spells and I want to look back and have no regrets.
"I want to give it the best shot I can try to be a Celtic player. I have no doubt in my mind that Celtic is definitely the best place for me. We have a big, quality squad and everyone is fighting for places.
"It is a great place to be and you can see the fans are turning out, we are playing extremely attractive football and I am working under a world-class manager so for me it is second to none.
"It is only going to make me better."
Rodgers was pleased with Henderson's contribution as the Hoops boss now turns his attention to the Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach at Celtic Park on Wednesday.
"I've been wanting to see young Liam for a period of time because I think he's a talent but it's been hard to get him in," Rodgers said.
"But I felt it was a good day for that and I thought he was excellent in the game tactically - thinking about the game and playing with his brain - and physically he was very good."
