NEIL LENNON fears his attempts to seal a Hibs return for Celtic’s Liam Henderson are doomed.

The midfielder was a huge hit with the Easter Road fans during his season-long loan last term and played a key role in May’s historic Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers.

The 20-year-old’s pinpoint corners set up Anthony Stokes for Hibs’ late equaliser and for David Gray to nod in their injury-time winner.

Lennon has not hidden his desire to land Henderson for another spell in the capital but is increasingly losing hope of a deal being done.

Henderson was given a chance to impress new Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers when he made a late substitute’s appearance in last Wednesday’s 5-0 victory over Motherwell in the Betfred Cup.

And the youngster played from the start as the Hoops fielded an under-strength line-up in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup encounter in Limerick.

Lennon has confessed another loan deal is looking unlikely and admits Hibs could not afford a permanent deal for the player.

Asked if he expected to recruit Henderson, Lennon told the BBC: “I would doubt that very much.

“He’s Celtic’s player, so I think Brendan would like the opportunity to work with him.

“I also think that if Liam were to leave, I don’t think he will want to go out on loan again.

“If he’s going to move, he’s going to go on a permanent deal, and I can understand that as well.

“We’re probably not in a position to do that at the moment.”