LIAM Henderson says manager Fabio Grosso was crucial in his decision to turn down Serie A interest in favour of a move to Hellas Verona, while describing Rangers manager Steven Gerrard as his midfield role model.

The 22-year-old was officially presented to the media on Tuesday, three days after Hellas opened their Serie B campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to local rivals Padova.

Henderson’s future was thrown up in the air over the summer when his Bari side were declared bankrupt, but an impressive second half of the season with the Galletti meant he was not short of suitors in Italy, including top-flight giants Fiorentina.

But the former Celtic and Hibernian playmaker explained that the prospect of continuing his relationship with 2006 World Cup winner Grosso, who also made the move to Verona from Bari this summer, made him favour another season in the second tier.

“The big pull for me was the coach here,” he said. “I worked with Fabio Grosso at Bari and I can’t thank him enough for that opportunity, because nobody else at that time was willing to give me an opportunity and willing to play me.

“He was a big factor and then speaking to the sporting director here, he told me nothing but good things about Verona and the project in place here, it was an exciting opportunity for me.

“I needed to remember also that I’ve only been in Italy for six months, so I wanted to come somewhere where I knew the manager. Verona is a huge club and the squad is very strong, so it was a no-brainer to come here.”

Bari supporters nicknamed Henderson "Braveheart with Brazilian feet" during his time in Puglia and the Celtic academy product was quizzed on his greatest influences as a midfielder.

“I admired a lot of players growing up,” he said. “Steven Gerrard being one, who is now the manager of Rangers.

“He was my big idol when I was growing up. My dad and my family have also had a big influence on my career, they’ve been nothing but supportive, but Gerrard is definitely my main idol.”

In January, Henderson became the first Scot since Graeme Souness in 1984 to feature in senior men’s football in Italy, and he underlined that the style of football on the peninsula is a good fit for a player with his characteristics.

He said: “I had a coach at Celtic called Miodrag Kovacevic, who was probably the one coach in my whole youth career that I learned a lot from, he was from Montenegro and played for Red Star Belgrade. He taught me a lot from a young age.

“I think my style of play is a bit different from most in Scotland or England, I like to play with the ball and have possession. The difference between Italian and British football is that it’s more technical and tactical, I came here to improve that side of my game and I’m really enjoying my time here.”