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Fullname: Ewan Henderson
aka: Wee Hendo
Born: 27 March 2000
Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland *(acc to Soccerway TBC)
Signed: 1 Aug 2017 (Celtic youth)
Left: 6 January 2022 (to Hibernian)
Position: Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 0-0 Kilmarnock, SP, 9 May 2018
Squad No.: 52
Internationals: ? [which international team played for]
International Caps: ? [complete at end of career]
International Goals: ? [complete at end of career]
Biog![[Untitled]](https://wikifoundryimages.s3.amazonaws.com/90d30ed5de12798809f762f37d303b21 "[Untitled]")
Ewan Henderson was a product of the Celtic youth system (Celtic academy graduate), and is the younger brother of former Celtic prospect Liam Henderson who was close to but unfortunate not to make a long term career at Celtic (but still highly impressed). Ewan Henderson’s personal challenge was to see if he could succeed where Liam didn’t at Celtic, however Liam Henderson had now made a name for himself by winning a deserved moved to Bari in Italy after some good spells in between at various other clubs.
Ewan made his debut in a dead rubber end of the season match, in the penultimate league game v Kilmarnock in 2018 with Celtic heading for the second domestic treble in a row. In a makeshift side, Ewan was subbed late on, but Celtic were abject throughout as they drew nil-nil with only a single goal on target from both sides (Kilmarnock didn’t even have a shot at goal). For Ewan a memorable moment as reports gave him positive marks for his brief debut, but for the rest of the support it was a very forgettable game.
He was given some gametime in the next season, but understandably there were reports of unrest from the player in his hope to get experience elsewhere. However, the club had faith in him and he was to sign a further long-term contract with the club in January 2019. When given a start following some injuries & suspensions, he gave a man of the match performance as Celtic won 4-1 in Feb 2019, and Ewan Henderson gained plaudits setting up the opener with a great cross. It boded well, and he had hit the ground running with the first team. As his colleague Kieran Tierney said of him: “Wee Hendo’s class man”. It was to be Brendan Rodgers’ last match as Celtic manager, and this was to be a bad break for Ewan Henderson. Ewan never seemed to get the breaks.
He was to be loaned out in the summer to help get him First Team game time, firstly to Ross County and then later next season to Dunfermline. At Dunfermline in the third tier, he helped them into the league play-off matches.
He did get to play for Celtic in the dire season 2020/21 for three matches, including possibly the first team’s only notable performance, a 3-2 win over Lille in the Europa league group stages coming on early for an injured Frimpong. Along with some others, he won deserved praise for his performance with some hoping he would get further opportunities.
He was though to be given little further opportunity to build on at Celtic what he had achieved to date much to the annoyance of sympathisers (of whom there were many). During his time, Celtic had gone on to complete historic trebles, the covid era hit and then Celtic collapsed. Following the premature loss of Rodgers as manager, there was a deterioration in form under Lennon who was cut in 2021, Celtic were in a rut and big changes again were expected.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon had overseen a total stagnation of youth development at the club. Many youth players bailed out around this time, and Ewan Henderson was in the unfortunate position to have to try to now repeatedly impress new management, at Celtic and on loan, it was asking a lot. It hindered Ewan Henderson’s career, and he deserved much better.
Under new management at Celtic with Ange Postecoglu, there was hope for a further chance. In December 2021, he finally won a match appearance, and incredibly he came on and scored with his first touch v Real Betis away in December 2021, having been the sub in what was effectively a Celtic reserves side played in a dead rubber match in the final Europa League group stage. He had helped to bring his name back to the forefront despite the low status of the match, but he deserved to get the praise. It set up Celtic for the win, and he was beaming with pride:
“It was the best feeling in the world, I was so happy!”.
The problem was that the squad was filling out, and with the three new arrivals from Japan in January 2022, it was going to further push Ewan Henderson back in the queue. It also affected others, such as Liam Shaw & Urhoghide who had only arrived in the summer just past.
In January 2022, for his own benefit he moved onto Hibernian on a loan to the summer with a conversion to a three year contract thereafter.
The new manager at Hibs (and ex-Celtic player) Shaun Maloney commented:
“Ewan is an extremely talented player. He has superb awareness and vision, he’s creative and will provide assists. He’s a player I really want to help to develop so he can show the league the talent he has”.
There were some at Celtic disappointed to see he wasn’t given more opportunities during his time at Celtic, and in twelve appearances he never played in a losing side with Celtic’s first team. He was leaving on a high note and would be warmly remembered.
We all wished him the very best.
Post-Celtic
[…His new manager lasted only for a brief spell and left not long after Ewan Henderson arrived although Ewan Henderson still managed to seal a place in the first team.]
Quotes
“Wee Hendo’s class man.”
Kieran Tierney on Henderson following his first starting debut (Celtic 4-1 M’well) (Feb 2019)
“Mentality incredible. Extremely extremely proud”
Liam Henderson on twitter on his brother after his debut goal v Real Betis (Dec 2021)
“Delighted for young Henderson a lad who scored a good goal and a player who has come through the academy system with Celtic .. what a fantastic night for him personally and his family .. nice win the Bhoys”
John Hartson on Henderson on his brother after his debut goal v Real Betis (Dec 2021)
Hibs boss Lee Johnson reveals that Ewan Henderson turned down a loan opportunity in January as he urges the midfielder to show more consistency and “pitch personality”
BBC (Feb 2023)
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2017-18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 12 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Honours with Celtic
Scottish League
Scottish Cup
Pictures
Forums
Ewan Henderson hopes he can follow Liam’s footsteps into Celtic first team
By Christopher Jack 2017
EWAN HENDERSON hopes his Glasgow Cup glory will help him follow in the footsteps of brother Liam at Parkhead. The midfielder fired Michael O’Halloran’s side to victory over Rangers at Firhill on Thursday night as they Hoops made it four cup wins on the spin.
And Henderson admits having his elder sibling in Brendan Rodgers’ first team squad has been a major boost to his own ambitions in green and white.
He said: “He tells me every week how to get better, how to improve and what the manager wants.
“If I play badly, he tells me and if I play well he tells me. It is great to have someone like that.
“He has been a big part of my career and I watch him and try and play like him.
“He tells me to play with enjoyment and never to be scared to get on the ball and he wants me to always try and make things happen.
“He does criticise me when needed. It is fantastic and he makes sure that my feet are on the ground. He was here tonight.
“Every time he is in the squad I am there to watch him. I get to see what the first team is like.” It was a night to remember for Henderson at Firhill as Jack Aitchison also found the net to secure a 2-1 win for Celtic.
But Henderson reckons it could have been even better as boss Rodgers watched on from the stands. He said: “It was really good. I thought the boys played well. “We defended well when we had to and we done really well.
“I could have scored another one in the first half when Jack played it back to me but it got blocked. We got there in the end and that is the main thing
“It is fantastic to know the manager was watching us. You never know when you could get a call up. You just need to make the best of it when you do.”
Ewan Henderson: Hibernian sign Celtic midfielder on loan before permanent deal
2022
Ewan Henderson
Ewan Henderson scored as Celtic beat Real Betis 3-2 in the Europa League group stage
Hibernian have signed Celtic midfielder Ewan Henderson.
The 21-year-old will be on loan while his contract at the Glasgow club runs down before committing to a three-year deal at the end of the season.
“Ewan is an extremely talented player,” said Hibs boss Shaun Maloney. “He has superb awareness and vision, he’s creative and will provide assists.
“He’s a player I really want to help to develop so he can show the league the talent he has.”
Henderson, capped for Scotland’s under-17s, 19s and 21s, worked under Maloney in the Celtic youth set-up for a year.
He made his Celtic debut in 2018, but made just 11 further appearances, while he has had loan spells at Ross County and Dunfermline Athletic.
Henderson scored in his only outing this season as Celtic defeated Real Betis 3-2 in the Europa League group stage.
His older brother Liam, now with Serie A club Empoli, spent the 2015-16 season on loan at Hibs from Celtic, setting up the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final.
Hibs sign Melkersen from Bodo/Glimt
Striker Elias Melkersen became Maloney’s first signing as Hibs boss when the 19-year-old completed a transfer from Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt for an undisclosed sum on Wednesday.