LIAM HENDERSON has revealed how his Easter Road switch from Celtic has left his Hibernian-supporting grandfather Sandy Henderson 'over the moon'.
The 19-year-old moved east on a season-long loan from Parkhead late on Friday as Scott Allan headed in the opposite direction in the wake of persistent interest from Rangers.
The midfielder made his Hibs debut as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 1-0 win over Morton and has been tipped by head coach Alan Stubbs to become an 'influential' player for the promotion-seeking Championship outfit in the coming weeks and months.
And the Scotland Under-19 cap, who Stubbs was keen to recruit in January before he was farmed out to Rosenborg in Norway at the end of March, insists his own happiness at the move has been more than matched by that of his grandad.
Henderson, who was brought up in West Lothian, said: "I played boys' club and went to Celtic at a very young age. I was just 12 when I went there and I've been there since.
"But I've been to Easter Road a few times with my granddad because he's a Hibs fan. I've been here a few times a few years ago.
"It's always been a local club and I've wanted them to do well when I've watched them on the TV, so it's great to be playing here.
"My granddad's over the moon that I'm a Hibs player and my two little brothers and my dad were at the game on Saturday, which was good as well.
"Hibs have been trying to get me since January but obviously it wasn't right for Celtic to let me go in January.
"When they came in for me I was all for coming here but it didn't manage to happen, but I'm delighted to be here now.
"When I spoke to the manager I was all for coming in. I think it's going to be a really good year."
Henderson has played 23 times for the Celtic first-team since making his debut for the Hoops in 2013, aged just 17.
His loan to Rosenborg, which was designed to help him mature both on and off the pitch, generated another nine top-team outings, as well as three goals.
Now, the teenager is eager to prove former Hibs – and current Celtic – skipper Scott Brown was right to give his move to Easter Road the thumbs up.
Henderson, whose dad Nicky played for Partick Thistle and Falkirk, added on Hibs TV: "It's about getting games under my belt and hopefully I can contribute to the team and what we want to achieve this season, and try and make the fans happy.
"I spoke to Scott Brown, who was obviously at Hibs, and he told me it's a great club and he told me about the manager and told me he'll be a great manager for me.
"I spoke to Charlie Mulgrew as well. Even though he's not played here, he's one of the experienced players at Celtic and he said 'definitely, go and play and go and show what you can do'.
"So, that was good for me."
Meanwhile, Hibs, who have asked for supporters to choose the shade of green that will adorn next season's home jersey, have handed freed St Johnstone midfielder Dylan Easton a chance to win a contract.
The 21-year-old former Livingston and Berwick Rangers player left McDiarmid Park by mutual consent last week and has been given a trial by Stubbs.
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