The England international is reportedly looking to leave Al-Ettifaq just six months after joining the Saudi Pro League side.
Celtic have been floated as a potential destination for Jordan Henderson as he looks escape his Saudi Pro League.
But a shock move to the Scottish Premiership just six months after a £12million move to Al-Ettifaq could face some major hurdles despite reports south of the border declaring that the Hoops are “interested” in a deal. It would be a stunning switch for the former Liverpool captain – who has long spoken of his admiration of Brendan Rodgers and his help in kickstarting his career at Anfield.
The 33-year-old is said willing to take a major pay cut and write off millions in tax if it meant he could return to the English Premier League. However, The Mirror state there is not an.”overwhelming amount of suitors for the ageing ex-Sunderland man” which could leave Celtic as one of the few escape routes from Ettifaq. in what would be one of the wildest deals of the winter window.
The bond with the man in the Parkhead dugout would undoubtedly be key – with the England international writing in his autobiography explaining how Rodgers helped turn him into a Reds’ hero. He wrote: “Our relationship was good by the time Brendan left
“I needed his help. I needed him to give me opportunities and teach me tactically, and eventually he made me captain. For him to recognise the effort I had put in to be the player he wanted me to be, to acknowledge that I had grown in terms of my tactical awareness and to give me opportunities says a lot.
“Kenny (Dalglish) had brought the club back together and Brendan had shown us what was possible at Liverpool in an era when we were competing with clubs owned by oligarchs and nation states. He deserves more credit than he gets. When Brendan left, I thanked him for what he had done for me and began to think about who the next manager would be and whether he would want me. It was harsh that Brendan hadn’t got the chance to finish what he had started.”
And while Henderson was being criticised for his move to the Middle East, Rodgers was among those to publicly defend the decision. The midfielder, who is a long-time supporter of the LGBT+ community, sparked fury for his decision to move to a country where homosexuality is illegal.
Speaking to talkSPORT in the summer, Rodgers said: “There are so many morality officers around the world nowadays that are judging people. But Jordan I know extremely well and I know the love he had and will always have for Liverpool. He was at the stage of his career where he probably wasn’t going to be the first name on the team sheet any more. So to go abroad and take on a new challenge clearly suited him.”
But despite chatter that Henderson would be willing to take a massive pay cut, Henderson would still likely be out of the pay bracket Celtic would want to fork out. The veteran doesn’t fit the player trading model at the club – which Rodgers has previously shown public support for. The wage cut also appears to hinge on an offer coming from the Premier League, according to reports.
Following his summer exit from Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp stated one of the reasons for moving to Saudi was that he wanted a guaranteed starting spot. It may not be something Rodgers can offer – with captain Callum McGregor playing in a similar position. In fact, Parkhead hero Chris Sutton has stated that McGregor would start ahead of the England star.
Ahead of Scotland’s clash with the Auld Enemy last summer, Sutton said: “You look at Jordan Henderson in midfield. Would he get into Scotland’s midfield? I am just saying, would Jordan Henderson, at this moment in time, get into the Scotland midfield? McGregor. Gilmour. McTominay and McGinn.”
His standing on the international stage could also be a factor. It is reported south of the border that Henderson wants to make a return to the Premier League to make a late bid to revive his England career before Euro 2024. Fraser Forster was the last Celtic player to get a call-up to the England set up in 2012 – and it’s unlikely a move to the Premiership would change Gareth Southgate’s mind before the tournament.
A deal looks unlikely at this stage. But the January window is known to thrown up surprises.
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