Young Celtic winger Regan Hendry has joined Raith Rovers on loan for the rest of the season, it has been announced.
The Scottish League One side revealed on their official website and social media channels on Tuesday that the 19-year-old wide man has joined on loan from the Hoops for the remainder of 2017-18.
He started training with the Raith squad on Thursday of last week and has now been given official clearance by the SPFL to play for the team.
SIGNING NEWS | Rovers welcome new loan signing Regan Hendry to Starks Park from @celticfc , while ‘keeper Graeme Smith extends his contract to the end of the season:https://t.co/DosidJqlVR #raithrovers #raithroversfc pic.twitter.com/mX94howg66
— RRFC Official (@RaithRovers_FC) January 2, 2018
Hendry was on the substitute’s bench on Tuesday evening as the League One promotion hopefuls secured a 3-2 win away at East Fife.
Hendry, 19, is yet to make his senior bow for the Scottish Premiership champions but has featured regularly for their Under-20s side domestically and in European competition.
He told Raith TV: “I’ve been playing U20 football for a long time now and it’s good to get something new.
“Raith Rovers is a massive club for my first loan so I am excited to get started. I’ve not really had that chance in the first team at Celtic and I am looking for that here.”
OPINION
A right-sided midfielder, Hendry is a creator and scorer of goals. A loan move is perfect for him at this stage of his development, as there is a limit to what he can learn while playing youth-team football. It remains to be seen whether Hendry has the capabilities of competing for a Celtic first team spot in the future. Much will depend on how he fares at title challengers Raith, who have genuine hopes of promotion to the Scottish second tier. Playing in a strong side used to winning will be ideal for Hendry, and he should make rapid progress over the coming months.