As Celtic prepare for their friendly with Barcelona today one of the club’s brightest prospects will be watching from afar.
Eoghan O’Connell, Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney and Patrick Roberts will get to test themselves against some of the best names in the business while Henderson remains at home considering his next move.
Rather than interpret the situation as something sinister Brendan Rodgers is being entirely honest with the 20-year-old.
With Ryan Christie and Scott Allan battling for a place in a well established midfield, opportunities for Henderson in the season ahead will be limited, much the same as the position that he found himself in 12 months ago with Ronny Deila.
After a brief loan at Rosenborg followed by 40 starts for Hibs last season the midfielder has gained a decent amount of experience but it’s highly unlikely that anyone with that CV would expect to get in and about a midfield loaded with options.
Neil Lennon would take Henderson back to Hibs at the drop of a hat but returning to largely the same challenge is unlikely to test the midfielder, or crucially, advance his prospects of making the breakthrough at Celtic.
More appealing for his development would be a move to the English Championship where the glut of fixtures and demands should propel his career forward.
Before moving on loan to Hibs Henderson signed a new three year contract with Celtic, getting out on a season long loan will give him a chance to stake his claim for a real role as his deal enters it’s final 12 months.
After helping Hibs win the Scottish Cup in May Henderson said: “I have always felt that I was ready to play for Celtic. I have never doubted my own ability. Neil Lennon put his trust in me away back when I was first coming through and I have never really thought that I wouldn’t make it at Celtic.
“Alan Stubbs has been amazing with me too. He has played me every week and gave me a lot of responsibility. I feel as though I am going back to Celtic a better player. Going out and performing every week has helped me to mature a bit as a player and hopefully I can go and show that now.”
It looks like Henderson’s wish has been put back a year- with the right loan deal there’s no reason why he can’t come back and finally claim the place that he has been chasing since making his debut in 2014.
CLICK HERE for the latest on Celtic’s interest in Scott Sinclair.
