Liam Henderson welcomes Celtic squad competition

TEENAGER Liam Henderson sees both the added competition within the Celtic squad and the fact his side are vying for four trophies as factors he can use to push on his Parkhead career.

Henderson spoke after seeing his side drawn against Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup. Picture: SNS

Celtic were handed a tough William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final draw against League Cup final opponents Dundee United at Tannadice on Monday afternoon.

FOLLOW US

Twitter | Facebook | Google+

Subscribe to our DAILY NEWSLETTER (requires registration)

SCOTSMAN TABLET AND MOBILE APPS

iPhone | iPad | Android | Kindle

Ronny Deila’s men also face Inter Milan in the Europa League this month while trying to fight off a Scottish Premiership title challenge from Aberdeen, who drew level on points at the top of the table on Saturday.

Celtic can go clear again on Wednesday when they face Partick Thistle at Firhill as they begin a run of at least four consecutive midweek games.

And Henderson is pushing for further involvement during the busy schedule after starting three games in 2015.

The 18-year-old said: “We’re in all four competitions so hopefully that means the squad will be rotated, but I’ve been working really hard and if the opportunity comes, hopefully I can take it.

“It’s been good, the manager has thrown me in when we’ve needed to win games. Obviously scoring against Hamilton gave me a big confidence boost.

The midfielder claimed he heard no speculation about a potential loan move in January despite deadline-day speculation linking him with a temporary switch to Hibernian.

And he insisted there was no chance of him moving away.

“Not at all,” he said. “The manager said he wants me to be at the club. Obviously we are pushing for all three cups and we are in the Europa League so he wants me in and around the squad so that’s a great confidence boost for me.

“It’s great to train with the first-team boys and continue to learn every day.”

Deila brought in midfielders Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven from Dundee United, but Henderson sees opportunity from the added competition.

“I can thrive and learn off them as well,” he said. “Stuart plays a similar position to me and I’m looking to learn off him. He has been a brilliant player for Dundee United and a young player so I’m looking to learn off him as well.”

SEE ALSO

Ronny Deila on Celtic’s positive January window

Scottish Flashback: Celtic 3-3 Rangers, Oct 2002