Three Lennoxtown starlets set to clash in late-night fixture, Celtic eyes will be watching

By Euan Davidson

March 27, 2021

If you thought John Hartson and Jackie McNamara being on Pointless was the only Celtic-related thing happening tonight, guess again.

Sure, Ryan Christie, Callum McGregor and Jack Hendry might make headlines with Scotland tomorrow. Saturday night’s all right for fighting, though, as Dundee take on Dunfermline Athletic at Dens Park.

In the Blue corner, Irish starlet Jonathan Afolabi. In the… well, black and white corner, Kerr McInroy and Ewan Henderson, hoping to make an impact for the Pars. If you’ve been following Celtic’s youth teams for a while, it’s a match of some substance.

Actually, it’s an important match regardless. Dundee and Dunfermline are battling Raith Rovers for second place in the Championship [SPFL]. Dundee will want to keep building in search of promotion, while the Pars have the incentive of topping their Fife rivals.

Henderson, who joined Dunfermline only yesterday, but has been training with Celtic’s first team for months. He might not be 100% fit, but he’s still a good bet to get a start. Afolabi has impressed with the Republic of Ireland U21s this week, and will be looking to build on a successful international turn.

Kerr McInroy, on loan at his home-town team, needs to build on his 12 Championship appearances in 20-21 [Transfermarkt]. All in, the Celtic intrigue here is obvious.

Celtic youngster Jonathan Afolabi / (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

A flying start for Celtic youngster Ewan Henderson?

Ewan Henderson will be hoping to emulate Luca Connell, whose Queens Park face Brechin in League Two today. Connell got off to an absolute flyer with the Spiders, being named Man of the Match on his debut [QPTV/YouTube].

Granted, Henderson is playing two tiers above the Irishman, but the remit is the same: impress. Much has been expected from both Henderson and Connell, who play in similar positions, albeit they’re both tremendously versatile. The duo thrive, it seems, from a playmaking role in the middle of the park.

Where Henderson starts for Dunfermline tonight, if at all, is actually an interesting question in itself. Over his short career, he’s been played as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, a wing-back, and he can play in wide attacking positions. Adaptability is certainly an attribute, but for his career’s sake, he might want to stick to central areas. That’s where his talents seem best suited.

Still, it’s club football. Not everyone loves the international break. With plenty of Celtic intrigue, Dundee v Dunfermline seems like a good way to spend this evening.

READ MORE: Could Christie be on to something here?