One of the Celtic youngsters who’ll now be seriously looking to build up his first-team stats is young Ewan Henderson.
The midfielder hasn’t been linked with a move anywhere as it stands. Despite needing games to continue his development next season, no other Premiership side or English Championship outfit has been credited with an interest.
But that could still be good news for Celtic fans in any case. After all, Henderson’s stats last season showed three assists in six games. He also played a key part in the first goal of the Neil Lennon era too.
Perhaps most impressively of all, however, was Henderson’s ability to slot seamlessly into such a talented Celtic side. Despite being up against the likes of Olivier Ntcham and Callum McGregor for a place in the team, Henderson didn’t let it faze him.
The young midfielder continued to show outrageous composure and quality on the ball. He was playing some defence-splitting passes, and also had a real presence in the final third for Celtic. He certainly offers something different, and could be forgiven for wondering what would be deemed a successful year this time around.
Henderson’s stats read well, but Mikey is the benchmark
Now, Hendo is in the same kind of position Mikey Johnston was in one year ago. During the 2017/18 campaign, Johnston managed just three appearances for Celtic. Fast forward one year and he managed 23 more, scoring five goals and bagging an assist.
It was a real breakthrough season for Johnston. And those figures now must be what Henderson looks to achieve on his own merit next season. He’s now at the stage where he’s outgrown youth and reserve team football. He has to start making a real go of it in the senior ranks.
And he’ll be delighted in knowing that Neil Lennon has selected him to go with the squad on their pre-season training camp. Henderson is one of the club’s most promising young players, but his development has to continuously be monitored to make sure he’s progressing the way a prestigious young talent should.
A loan move still a possibility
A loan move elsewhere could still be an option before the transfer window closes at the end of August. But as things stand, he’s going to now get the chance to prove to Lennon what he’s all about.
David Turnbull’s arrival could also provide some competition too. He can play in a more advanced role like Turnbull does, but Henderson has also shown good adaptability.
It’s worth not forgetting that he could still make a big impact this season now that he’s away on the training camp. All he has to do is glance at the speculation linking Johnston with Panathinaikos (Scottish Sun) to know the kind of impact he can make next season.
If he can rack up those same figures Johnston did last season, then Henderson can be pretty pleased with himself.
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