Dad who played for Ross County convinced son Jay Henderson on Inverness Caley Thistle move
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Jay Henderson says his dad's experience of playing in the Highlands with Ross County over 20 years ago convinced him to make a loan move to Inverness Caledonian Thistle from St Mirren.
Darren Henderson was with Ross County for the 2000/2001 season when they finished in fourth place in the Scottish First Division.
Now 22 years later, Jay has arrived at Inverness looking to make an impression while on loan from St Mirren Park.
Henderson says after speaking to his dad about his time at north, he was keen to make the move to the Highlands.
"With my dad playing for Ross County, that was another key reason in me making the decision to come on loan to Inverness," he said.
"I stay close to Glasgow, so it's a three-and-a-half-hour journey. My dad knows the road well.
"That was one of the selling points, but the standard here is really good and this is probably the best place for me to continue to develop.
"My dad loved it up here and that made it an easy decision for me to come to Inverness.
"He only had good things to say about Inverness as a city and said it was a really good place to stay, which I'm already finding it to be."
He felt after looking at his options, he believes Inverness is the best place to develop his game.
"I couldn't have got off to a better start, especially with the team's form coming into the game, and especially after going 1-0 down, but the result was perfect for us.
"I just needed somewhere comfortable to develop and I felt this was the best place for me, given the standard of the group and being able to mix with the younger boys as well as the experienced players.
"It was perfect for me. It has been a great start and hopefully that carries on."
Henderson says he has experienced a tough time at St Mirren which has resulted in him going on loan elsewhere.
Speaking to head coach Billy Dodds, he is looking to enjoy playing football again.
"The manager wants me to enjoy myself and just play football again, which I haven't been doing in the past wee while.
"For me, on Monday, it was great to play again.
"I can relate to the young players as they progress their careers. The older boys like Sean Welsh and Billy Mckay can give me advice, having played at a good level. It can only help me."
Henderson's contract is up at St Mirren Park this summer, and he is determined to show to manager Stephen Robinson he is worth a new deal while playing at Inverness.
"It's a massive opportunity coming here. It's an important part now of my career. I will be 21 soon and I need to really put my foot in the door here and start my career off.
"I'm looking to do as well as I can for Inverness, but in the end I was to impress my own gaffer, Stephen Robinson, at St Mirren.
"Hopefully someone else might take a chance on me if things don't go well. We will see at the end of the season."
