Liam Henderson on Falkirk's defensive record, Celtic clash and cheeky Nando's catalyst

Liam Henderson reckons that Falkirk’s three-game winning run in the Scottish Premiership can be put down to his inspirational intervention - which was organising a cheeky Nando’s with the lads.

The popular defender, 30, is now one of the Bairns’ longest-serving stars having joined in May 2022. And he has been doing his best to help gel together John McGlynn’s new-look squad.

The boss brought in 17 summer signings, and it has taken the squad a little bit of time to get to grips with their second season back in the top flight.

But they have now won three on the spin, with wins at Easter Road and Pittodrie showing that the Bairns can again aim for top-six football come the split.

Speaking ahead of Celtic visiting Falkirk on Sunday, Henderson spoke about the role he has played in helping his new team-mates settle.

Liam Henderson on Falkirk stars Nando’s trip

“We have a wee bit of laugh,” he said. “Normally by this stage (of the season) we’d have had a lot of team days out or a couple of pub sessions.

“We've not really had that as of yet. We've had a lot of change, and it's been quite difficult with the schedule and stuff.

“So I thought, why don't we just get a meal together? I organised a team Nando's, so we all went for one a couple of weeks ago.

“I've been using that as a big success, saying that's why we're winning the games!

“It's funny because the Nando's was so busy that day, we couldn't even actually sit all together, so we were all spread out, but still just the point of being there together was quite big.

“The boys are taking the pee out of me a wee bit for it but it was just something to try and make the boys who have come from down south or from overseas feel more comfortable.

“It takes time to gel relationships within the dressing room, and I think a lot of people don't understand that.

“Most people think that boys play a first game together on a Saturday and it just all clicks.

“It takes so much more than that. There’s a lot of stuff within the walls and in the club.

“The boys feel more together, and you've seen that over these last three games, running harder and putting your body on the line for somebody.

“That comes from within training and within being with each other every day. That's huge and I hope that can continue to grow stronger.”

Assessing Falkirk’s recent form, the centre-back added: “Every game is massive. You look at the point tallies that we've made up over the last three games, and the points that we could have had due to the late goals we conceded.

“We could be even further up the table than we are just now. The results that we've had these last three games have been huge, not only for the points on the table but for the team in the changing room.

“It just breeds happiness throughout the team, so that goes a long way itself. To continue to win and get two clean sheets as well is really important. You can only build from that.”

John McGlynn happy Hendo is back to his best

Manager McGlynn recently said that Henderson was ‘getting back to his best’ after an indifferent start to the new campaign, and the defender highlighted an impressive statistic from his side’s results so far.

Defensively, in general, the Bairns have performed better this season in the top flight. Outwith Celtic and Rangers, Falkirk have the best goals conceded per match ratio at just over one goal (1.1).

He said: “We've had to dig in at times, defend our box, and block shots off the line, which you're going to need throughout the season.

“You can see it coming together a wee bit now. If you look at last year, the point tallies were the same as last year, and a lot of people would have written us off in that sense this year.

“Even a stat that I didn't really notice myself was the goals conceded against: this year we've been 12 goals conceded and last year we were 20 at this stage.

“That's quite a big difference if you're trying to win games of football in the Premiership.

“You try and keep them out at the back end, and hopefully you score more at the front end. The biggest thing is keeping clean sheets and trying to minimise the attacking sense in opposition.

“For me as a defender, seeing that stat, I wouldn't have thought that at this stage of the season last year. That's a bonus throughout the full team.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s visit of Martin O’Neill’s side, Henderson is hoping his team-mates can make it four wins on the spin in the Premiership.

That would be a first for Falkirk in the SPFL era, with that feat last recorded back in 2008 when John Hughes’ team earned four victories in a row in the top flight.

“We go into Sunday knowing that if all things go well and you get the points, then you're looking at creating another bit of history,” Henderson said.

“A lot of people have talked about the team last year and how much history they created, and it's now about this team this year creating history and moving forward.

“We'll do everything we can to prepare for the game. The gaffer's so detailed on what we do, and we'll have a game plan ready to go for Sunday.

“They're coming here on astro, and we'll make it difficult for them.”