Pass Marks

Ewan Henderson is delighted with his recent stretch of first-team football, and is determined to continue working hard behind the scenes.

- Joe Donnelly

NEIL Lennon’s first game in charge of Celtic following his managerial return last week was, to put it lightly, exhilarating. A wonderfully-worked goal, five bookings, a red card, a penalty and a last-gasp winner were among the highlights, as the Hoops secured all three points on the road to re-establishing an eight-point lead at the top of the SPFL table.

The Scottish champions’ opener was a thing of beauty too, when a direct and driven counter-attack was started by Ewan Henderson deep inside his own half, and was completed by James Forrest at the opposite end.

A Hearts free-kick 20-yards from goal was first blocked by the 18-year-old midfielder, before Nir Bitton cleared the loose ball inside the box. Henderson controlled with his left, turned, and played a scintillating pass down the inside-left channel towards the fast-breaking Scott Sinclair. He played the ball inside to Olly Burke, who burst into the box, squared for Forrest, who in turn fired home to put the Hoops in front.

Speaking to the Celtic View, Henderson explained it wasn’t until watching his instigating pass later in the analysis room at Lennoxtown the following day, that he was able to appreciate his work.

“It’s always good to play actual football, especially when you do go on to get the win,” he said. “Nir cleared the loose ball and passed to me, before I took it on, took a touch, and spotted Scotty running.

“I spotted him in the corner of my eye, and played it into his path and he went from there. At the time, I was convinced it was a simple pass forward, but when I watched the footage back, I realised it looked quite good!”