Celtic midfielder Ewan Henderson has been touted as a potential “big asset” for Hibs should he leave Parkhead for Easter Road.
The latest on the youngster came from Football Scotland on Monday night, who claimed a three-and-a-half-year contract had been offered to the Celtic man. It comes after the player reportedly visited Hibs’ training base as Shaun Maloney looks to tie him down.
As of yet, the deal has yet to be completed. However, given he only managed 1 game under Ange Postecoglou in the first half of the season – a 19-minute cameo against Real Betis – his chances are clearly bleak.
And pro-Hibs pundit Tam McManus believes the 21-year-old has “bags of potential” as he talked up the Lennoxtown academy graduate.
Speaking via his Daily Record column [05/01, page 49], McManus said: “Young, talented, and with bags of potential, Ewan Henderson is a perfect fit. And if he can deliver like his brother Liam did – you still see Hibs fans with that slogan on their T-shirt after the 2016 Scottish Cup final – then he will be every bit as big a hero.
“Hibs need something different in the middle of the park and Henderson is more offensive than most. He’s 21 now and needs to go and play regular football. Ewan’s best years are ahead of him and I’m sure he’ll be a big asset for the club.”
Ewan Henderson has hit his Celtic glass ceiling – January move needs to happen
Henderson has all the ability you could ask for. He’s an accomplished passer of the ball and a goal threat. He’s tidy in possession and has a calmness about his play with is so refreshing for a youngster.
However, he’s just not at the level needed to be a Celtic regular. That doesn’t look like changing anytime soon, and there are already a host of players ahead of him in the pecking order.
Even after Henderson netted the winner vs Real Betis back on December 9th, he didn’t bag a single minute in the next 5 games before the break. That shows exactly where he is in the pecking order under Postecoglou.
At 21, he has a massive opportunity to make a terrific career for himself. If the move to Hibernian does come off, it’ll be a major boost for him to join such a big club immediately after leaving Parkhead. And to be working under Maloney, a former Belgium first-team coach, is doubly exciting.
Time will tell whether Henderson makes a success of things or not. But in order to maximise his potential he needs to be playing on a consistent basis. That’s not something he’s currently doing at the moment and there’s no sign of it happening at Celtic Park.
Hopefully he bags the move his career deserves. McManus isn’t wrong, he’ll be a huge asset for Hibs if this all goes through.
In other news, Euro club confirm they were set to face Celtic this month in Portugal
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