Ewan Henderson yesterday completed a loan move to Dunfermline Athletic, but it’s certainly left the Celtic supporters raising some concerns.
Hendo has been frozen out this season under Neil Lennon despite showing real promise as long as two-and-a-half years ago under Brendan Rodgers.
The attacking-midfielder has only featured on three occasions this season, and impressed in them too. He was one of the standouts in a 60-minute showing against Lille in December. Remember, they’re joint-top of Ligue 1 these days. He also shone against Hibernian after the Dubai crisis too.
Yet, after the first-team came out of self-isolation, Henderson’s chances disappeared. He’s made three matchday squads since then, but has been rooted to the bench in all of them.
It was a similarly frustrating campaign for him last season too. After spending the first half of it in and out of the Ross County team whilst on loan, he came back to Parkhead and again wasn’t used. It’s bizarre mismanagement of a player who has shown he has impressive technical traits.
Ewan Henderson will be a big name one day, but will it be at Celtic?
Henderson is no longer the next big thing. He isn’t a long-term youth prospect anymore. He’s 21, and first-team experience elsewhere is vital.
But this deal with Dunfermline represents another short three-month stint with next to no time to get settled. Only for Henderson to come back in the summer and likely be forgotten about again. You wonder whether it would’ve made more sense for the club to give him game-time in the matches we have remaining this term.
A loan in the summer looks absolutely essential for him. That is of course unless the new manager wants to take a better look at what Henderson has in his locker. He’s shown in the past he has the quality to play for us intermittently. But it’s building up the consistency levels that will be key to his long-term progression.
Celtic fans would’ve been hoping to see more of Ewan between now and the end of the season. So the loan deal comes asa blow and yet another sign that our best youngsters won’t be getting an opportunity in the coming weeks. It follows loan moves for Luca Connell, Ryan Mullen, and Ewan Otoo respectively.
Here, we take a look at what the supporters are saying about the deal. And whilst everyone was wishing Henderson all the best, many just can’t get their heads around the club’s strategy:
https://twitter.com/mcginleybhoy/status/1375509698720362499
https://twitter.com/KierenLaverty/status/1375510190376677379
In other news, this Celtic star has returned from international football with yet another injury.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
