PARS new boy Ewan Henderson has revealed that the club tried to bring him in two months before arriving at East End.

And, despite his temporary spell starting with successive away defeats at Dundee and Raith Rovers, he believes being pitched into a play-off race will be ideal for his development.

The 21-year-old completed a loan move from Celtic last Friday – 24 hours before his birthday, when he made his debut as a substitute in the 3-2 defeat at Dens Park – until the end of the season.

Henderson, whose elder brother, Liam, currently plays in Italy with Serie B club, Lecce, having also broken through at Celtic Park before being part of Hibernian's 2016 Scottish Cup triumph earlier in his career, was handed his first start in last Tuesday night's Fife derby.

Whilst the shocking 5-1 defeat wasn't what he or his new team-mates had anticipated, the Scotland youth international is confident he is in a good environment to improve his game and impress the Hoops coaching staff.

Henderson appeared from the bench during Saturday's draw with leaders Hearts and, speaking prior to that match, he explained: "I knew (about Dunfermline's interest) in January; I think they contacted Celtic and tried to get me.

"I felt like Dunfermline's a massive club. I've known them all my life basically from watching, and also they've got really top players here that I knew could help develop my game. That's all I looked at when I signed.

"I'm at an age where I need to be playing week-in, week-out, and I just need to keep my head down, keep working hard, and hopefully be playing.

"It wasn't the best start for me personally but the boys have been with me from the start since I've come in.

"I've played with Kerr (McInroy) all through Celtic youth so we've got a good relationship on and off the pitch. We're good friends so it's been good to catch up with him again."

When asked about a Tweet his sibling had sent after his signing was announced, which read "Mon the Pars", Henderson replied: "I never saw that!

"He's been great with me; he's always giving me points on how I can improve my game. He's always watching over me, telling me things that I need to improve on, so I think he's a great help. I'm happy he's kicking on in Italy, and hopefully he'll get promoted. He's doing very well over there.

"Every day on Facetime we're talking football. He's telling me all the things he's experienced and things I can improve on which is a massive help in my career.

"We've always helped each other; if I see things in his game that he can maybe improve on, I would maybe tell him, but I'm mainly listening to him. He's achieved a lot in the game; he's won trophies, something I've not done. I'm not winning trophies but he's won everything in Scotland, done it in Norway (with Rosenborg on loan, winning the league and cup double) and now he's doing it in Italy.

"He's done excellent since a young age. All I do is look up to him and try and do whatever he's done."