Liam Henderson admits he’s happy to play anywhere on the field for Arbroath to make his mark on the high-flying side.
Henderson returned to the Lichties starting line-up on Saturday after two games on the bench.
The 25-year-old couldn’t have wished for a better return to the team after scoring and keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win at Partick Thistle, moving his side up to third in the Championship.
Defence or midfield
Henderson’s return to Dick Campbell’s team saw him slot in at the left centre-back position in the absence of Ricky Little.
Earlier in the season he saw himself in midfield, but Henderson says he feels at home in the middle of the park or at the back.
“At Edinburgh City I was left centre back for three years. It’s not alien to me,” he explained.
“I know how to play that position. My natural position is centre midfield, where the gaffer was playing me at the start of the season.
“But if he needs me to go in defence and play, I’m happy to go and do the job.
“It’s a hard team to get into at the moment. When an opportunity arises, like it has, it’s my time to keep that jersey and try and help the team win the next game.”
Praise from the gaffer
Henderson earned some special praise from gaffer Dick Campbell for his goal which effectively ended the game last weekend.
After scoring, he ran over to celebrate with the travelling fans only to be embraced by his manager.
“The fans were behind the gaffer celebrating,” he explained.
“I was at that side and he was telling me to come over – so I couldn’t say no to the gaffer.
In the celebrations Liam ran over to Dick in the dugout for a lovely moment. https://t.co/87YQLzwbNG pic.twitter.com/tcQ40gKLf1
— Arbroath FC (@ArbroathFC) December 12, 2021
“He told me ‘good goal son’, but he used a bit of bad language so I’ll not repeat that,” he joked.
“I think he praised me after the game which was quite good, so I was happy with that.”
Another defensive run out
With Ricky Little forced to miss out another week due to a concussion, Henderson looks set to keep his place in the back four when Arbroath welcome Morton to Gayfield.
Despite The Ton propping up the table, he doesn’t believe Saturday’s game will be an easy three points.
“We won’t be sucked into that trap. Everyone could beat anyone,” he said.
“I don’t know how they will come out and play. They got beat conceding six goals last week.
“They might come up to us and sit in a bit, play on the counter attack.
“I’ll try to do my job at the back and let the boys in front of us go forward and try to win the game.”
