Liam Henderson: Former Celtic and Hibs star on scoresheet for Lecce in Coppa Italia win

Midfielder scored opening goal in 2-0 win

Liam Henderson opened his account for Lecce as they advanced to the third round of the Coppa Italia

Liam Henderson opened his account for Lecce as the Serie B club recorded a 2-0 victory over lower-league opponents FeralpiSalo in the second round of the Coppa Italia competition.

The 24-year-old, making his second start for Eugenio Corini’s side following his arrival earlier this month, was booked in the first half but broke the deadlock at the Stadio Via Del Mare after 69 minutes.

Substitute Edgaras Dubickas netted a second two minutes from time to ensure Lecce’s passage to the third round at the expense of the Serie C outfit.

Lecce now face a trip to Serie A side Torino on October 28.

The draw means Henderson avoids a cup tie against two of his former employers, Hellas Verona and Empoli.

Henderson is now with his fourth club in Italy, having initially joined Bari from Celtic in January 2018.

He left the club in the summer of 2018 as a free agent after the Serie B side was declared bankrupt.

The former Scotland Under-21 internationalist then penned a four-year deal with Hellas Verona, scoring three goals in 35 appearances and helping them win promotion to Serie A via the play-offs.

He joined Empoli on loan in January 2020 with the Tuscan-based team having an option to buy the player on a permanent deal.

However he returned to Verona during the summer and amid interest from a host of second-tier clubs including Empoli, joined Lecce on a four-year deal.

Henderson is likely to feature again for Lecce on Saturday when they travel to Ascoli on league duty, where he could come up against former Hearts defender Tasos Avlonitis.