“People are still going to the beach here.” Liam Henderson has been living in sunny Italy for almost six years now but he still seems amazed by the endless summer. Last August, as the transfer window was about to close, he left Serie A side Empoli on loan for Palermo in the second tier, heading down to Sicily. It wasn’t a career setback though. Palermo is 80% owned by the City Group and they have assembled a highly competitive, ambitious squad with the goal of promotion. Henderson is a key piece of the puzzle. I meet Henderson on a pleasant day at the new Palermo training centre in Torretta, a village halfway between the Punta Raisi Airport and the city. The seaside is just a 15-minute drive away, but the football pitches are nestled among the mountains. The complex is set within an olive tree grove, the old manor house having been converted into the clubhouse, where players and the staff eat their meals and spend their leisure time. Born in Livingston in 1996, Henderson joined the Celtic youth system, progressing into the senior squad under manager Neil Lennon and making his debut in the Scottish Premiership in 2013. He scored his first goal on the day Celtic secured their 45th league title. Despite a crowded midfield, Henderson held his own at the club until 2015, when he was loaned to Norwegian side Rosenborg and then Hibernian. He enjoyed a star turn in the Scottish Cup final in 2016, setting up two goals as Hibs beat Rangers 3-2 at Hampden, but it was not enough to earn a starting place at Celtic. So, in January 2018, the midfielder made a life-changing decision and signed for Bari in the Italian second tier. He has played for five Italian clubs – Bari, Verona, Lecce, Empoli and Palermo – becoming the first Scotsman to appear in Serie A since the days of Graeme Souness and Joe Jordan. When did you start playing football? “I began at four, playing for my local club, Broxburn. My father Nicky was a professional footballer, so that’s why I started so early. I always used to attend his matches with my mum. I used to go with him to the park and I always had a ball at my feet: at school, at lunchtime, after school. I have two brothers, Jamie and Ewan, and they started playing football with Broxburn as well. Jamie was born with a heart problem, so he cannot attend hard training sessions and play football at a high level. It’s a pity because he is very talented. Ewan is now playing in Belgium with Oostende, and I’m happy he’s had a good beginning of the season.” Other than your father, who were your footballing heroes? “So many – Steven Gerrard, Cesc Fàbregas, Zinedine Zidane and also Javier Pastore, who spent time playing for Palermo.” How was your experience of the Celtic youth system? “It was fantastic. I had many skilled managers, particularly Miodrag Krivokapic. He was really a polestar for me. I spent only a couple of years with him, but I still benefit from what he taught me. He has been really important for me.” When did you feel you would become a professional footballer? “Actually, I don’t see myself as a professional footballer yet. I still have to do many things before feeling I’m a footballer.” You made your debut for Celtic in 2013. What are your memories of that day? “It was one of the best days of my life. I thought about all my hard work since I was four. I thought about my father and my mother taking me to football grounds. Making my debut with a club like Celtic was unbelievable.” Despite spending five years at Celtic, you never played in an Old Firm game. Was that a disappointment? “Definitely. I played several Glasgow derbies with the academy, but I never had the chance to experience it as a senior. I was at Ibrox when we won 5-1 but I wasn’t called up for the game. I attended it among the fans alongside Kieran Tierney, who was injured at the time. It was fantastic.” At least you beat them in the Scottish Cup final in 2016 while playing for Hibernian. Was that special? “When the opportunity to sign for Hibernian came, I accepted not only because it was a chance to play more consistently but also because my family support them. My heart was half Celtic, half Hibernian, but now I feel more a Hibs fan. It was unbelievable. I didn’t pay for a beer on a night out for the next 10 days.” While at Hibernian, you had a very special fan in novelist Irvine Welsh. “You know what? I read an interview with him and he said he supports Palermo in Italy because he loves Sicily, so I’ve played for his two favourite clubs so far. I was even invited to the premiere of Trainspotting 2 in Edinburgh, but could not attend because I had to play a game in Italy. I hope he will come and watch a game at Stadio Barbera one day.” In that Scottish Cup final, you set up the equaliser and winner. Which is more gratifying: assists or goals? And do you have a favourite goal? “I scored for Celtic during an away win against Partick Thistle in 2014. We mathematically won the league that night – it was the most beautiful and most important goal in my career. Scoring a goal is a beautiful feeling but I prefer providing assists.” You struggled to make the first team at Celtic. Was it misfortune or were you not experienced or mature enough at that time? “I was unlucky I did not have the same manager in those years. I started with Neil Lennon, who was very important for me – probably the most important person in my career. It’s hard to find managers who trust in the youngsters in a big club. He was replaced by Ronnie Deila, another great manager, but with different ideas. Then Brendan Rodgers arrived and raised the level, so it was hard for a guy like me to ensure a starting place.” What was the shift like when you moved from a top club like Celtic to playing in Serie B for Bari? “I had played just one game in six months at Celtic and I did not have many options. Bari director of football, Sean Sogliano, another important person in my career, called me and took a gamble, because no Scotsman had played in Italy for over 30 years. At Bari, I played all the remaining games of the season. That trip to Italy has changed my life – I’m still here.” Serie A was very popular when you were a child. Had you dreamt of playing in Italy? “Yes, and for me it’s the second-best league in the world. In Italy you find real, genuine football – the fans, the packed stadiums, the passion. Football has changed nowadays on and off the pitch. For example, people tend to attend games just to post pictures or videos on social media. They perceive it as a show. In Italy, just like at Celtic, fans still focus on football.” You were very unlucky in your first season in Italy. Bari were eliminated from the playoffs and then folded, leaving you unpaid for a few months. How did you tackle the situation? “It was strange because I had not experienced anything like that before. I talked to my dad and he said I am lucky because I played at Celtic from 11 to 21, but that bad times come for everyone in life. Many people live with very low salaries and I had to do the same. He told me to take it as a life lesson. There are people who could not afford anything to eat and my situation was obviously not that serious, but it was useful to learn something.” After Bari, you went to Verona, where Scottish legend Joe Jordan played in the 1980s. “He was a fantastic footballer, so it was nice to follow in his footsteps at Verona, a big club who even won the Scudetto in the 1980s. It was a beautiful experience.” Your manager at Bari and Verona was Fabio Grosso, who took the decisive penalty in the 2006 World Cup final. What was he like? “I was on holiday with my family in Italy, in Tuscany, when I watched that final. Grosso reached the zenith for a footballer, he made something extraordinary. He is a great guy and one of Italy’s best managers. He has an incredible view of football. He achieved a lot as a player and I think he can do the same as a manager.” You have lived in north, central and south Italy. How would you rank them? “It is very difficult. I’ve felt fine everywhere – in Verona, Tuscany, Apulia and now in Sicily. Italians are like Scotsmen; they are very sociable and warm-hearted. Everyone I’ve met has been welcoming and helpful. I feel at home, especially in Southern Italy and I don’t know why – in Scotland there is no sun while here it’s always sunny. In October it’s already cold up there and people even wear gloves. I miss rain sometimes.” What are the main differences between Italy and Scotland in lifestyle? “I have changed a lot since I first arrived. For instance, I only drink cappuccino in the morning – after lunch, I just have a cup of espresso. I don’t put pasta and chicken in the same dish anymore. When I go back to Scotland, I do the same and they look at me in a strange way. I feel 40% Italian and 60% Scottish. Are fans different? “Italy has a sort of old-school football and I like it. Of course, nobody likes losing, but I understand their anger – they spend a lot of money on the game. When they get mad, I feel crummy, because I want to do well for my club, but also for the fans.” You’ve said before that your Italian teammates assumed Scottish people were all drunk and angry. Did that hurt you? “No, not at all. It’s funny when people joke about the kilt. I’m always furious on the pitch, but I’ve never felt hurt. Some referees sometimes book me – maybe they think I’m mad because I’m Scottish.” Which managers have had the greatest impact on your career in Italy? “Grosso was the first manager I met when I arrived. I improved a lot in terms of skills and tactics thanks to him. Then I had Ivan Juric at Verona – he focuses on mentality, he tells you how you must work hard every day. He’s a great manager. I’d love to see him coaching in the Premier League one day. I like him both as a manager and as a person. He is honest and says things to your face – and this attitude is rare in football. He deserves to reach the top. For me he’s suitable for the Premier League.” What about Eugenio Corini, who coached you at Lecce and signed you for Palermo? “I had him as a manager for a year and it was my best personal season in terms of goals scored and assists. He was one of the reasons I decided to come to Palermo. He motivates players in the right way and we players must give everything for him.” If Scotland and Italy called you up, which national team would you choose? “Scotland, definitely. I have always dreamt of playing for the national team. There are very talented midfielders in Scotland but I hope I get a chance to be called up. If it doesn’t happen, I can’t do anything because I’m not the head coach.” While in Tuscany did you visit Barga, supposedly the most Scottish town in Italy? “Not yet, but many people in Empoli told me to do so because it’s also a nice place. I read that singer Paolo Nutini’s paternal family is from Barga. So, I must go and spend some time there.” You’ve spent more time in Italy than any Scottish player. Will you stay when you retire? “It’s up to my boss – my wife. If she wants to stay in Italy, we stay in Italy. I think we will go back to Scotland because I would like to become a manager. I would take the best from my past managers. I already have my own ideas – I would like to play offensive football and give room for the youngsters. For instance, I like Ange Postecoglou and his style. I would also take inspiration from Juric and Corini.” What is your opinion of other Scottish players, such as Josh Doig and Lewis Ferguson, moving to Italy? “Of course I’m happy about that. I hope the next one will be my brother Ewan. Playing alongside him would be awesome.” Sicily is famous for its cuisine, especially desserts. Do you have any favourite dishes? “I tasted arancina, a rice ball stuffed and coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried – very delicious. I have not tried any desserts yet; we have a nutritionist at the club and she’s very strict. Regarding sweet food, I ate granita, a typical Sicilian semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and various flavourings.” What are your ambitions for this season? “Of the teams I’ve played for, Palermo are immediately behind Celtic in terms of greatness. I’m honoured to be here, at such an important club. I will do my best – anything to take Palermo back to Serie A. I want to do it for the city and the fans. I hope we have a good year together.” This is an article from Nutmeg magazine Follow Nutmeg on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud Follow Simone Pierotti on Twitter