HAMILTON kid Stephen Hendrie admits he is a massive Celtic fan.
He has been linked with his boyhood heroes, but insisted he will concentrate on helping Accies remain in the Premiership top six.
The 19-year-old said: “I have seen the Celtic link, but I take nothing to do with it.
“I just want to get on with my football. I want to keep playing well because we are flying at the moment.
“The manager, Alex Neil, hasn’t said anything to me about it and I just don’t read anything into it.
“When our chairman, Les Gray, came out and said that West Ham and Queens Park Rangers were also watching me it was flattering.
“Whatever happens will happen and I can’t let it affect me.
“I’m a Celtic fan while the English Premier League is one of the best in the world.”
Hendrie is out of contract at the end of the season, but boss Neil insists the club won’t let the youngster go at a bargain price during this month’s transfer window.
Accies would receive compensation even if he left on a Bosman in the summer.
He said: “We haven’t heard anything from Celtic or anybody else.
“If teams come in this month they know they have to pay top dollar.
“People need to remember how young Stephen is. He is only 19, but has played over 100 games.
“This season, in particular, he has been fantastic.
“If he continues to improve then there is no reason why he cannot go on to play for a team such as Celtic.”
Hoops fans will get a close-up view of the talented defender when the club returns from their winter break to take on Accies on January 17 at New Douglas Park.
