Liam Henderson

So if Scotland don’t call him up he’s going to switch allegiance to Italy and play for them.

 

FORMER Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson insists he would be open to playing international football for ITALY.

The 23-year-old ex-Hoops kid admits he feels overlooked by the Scotland set-up as he plies his trade in Serie A with overachieving Hellas Verona.


Henderson made the brave step of moving to Italy in January 2018 by joining second-tier outfit Bari.

His displays working under World Cup-winner Fabio Grosso earned him a switch to the Gialloblù six months later and he helped them win promotion last term.


The playmaker became the first Scot to feature in Serie A since Graeme Souness departed Sampdoria in 1986.

Nevertheless, Henderson is loving life in Italy and has revealed he would be open to switching his international allegiances one day.

He said: “Of course I want to play for my country, it’s massive for me.


“But I’ve not had any indication, maybe they don’t want to get the flight to Italy to watch, even though it’s only two hours.

think it’s because I’m playing in Italy, I don’t know.

“If I stay here for five or six years, maybe I can apply for Italian citizenship and play for Italy.

“If Scotland don’t want to take me then, why not?”

A lack of regular action could hamper Henderson’s bid to catch the eye of Steve Clarke.



The fierce competition for places have limited him to five appearances this term as he battles the likes of Portugal international Miguel Veloso for a starting berth.

He continued: “It’s difficult, the standard is higher and the players that the coach has brought in have been playing really, really well and everyone is a top player, there’s two top players in every position.”



Henderson, did, however feature in a narrow 2-1 defeat against Inter Milan at the San Siro last month.

He adds: “Being the first player in more than 30 years since [Graeme] Souness to play in Serie A is something that will stay with me forever.”

 

I assume he is joking

 

Needs to get regular first team football.

 

Needs to be in Italy for another 3 and a half year to qualify for them

Thinks he'll shun Scotland who have no interest in capping him yet thinks he can get a call up for Italy

Delusional..

 

Why would they get on a flight exactly?..... Where the * was that article from @Notorious

 

Italians playing the long game.

Keeping him on the bench until he’s eligible for them.

 

The spirit of Machiavelli lives on.

 

Usual place.

 

Gotta be honest, one of the bhoys a go to games with rates both Henderson s pretty highly, both definitely decent player s but didn’t think either of them were Celtic class

 

He's Italian class

 

Last year Ewan showed some good stuff, I think he could be plying his trade with us in the future.

 

Liamio Henderson

 

Disappointing for him he's had to drop down a level as he did seem to be doing well earlier on. Take it there was some change of management.

But playing time will hopefully get him more opportunities.

 

Hopefully a good move for him.