On January 28, 2005, Martin O’Neill signed Swiss international defender Stephane Henchoz to a six-month loan from Liverpool.
The adaptable back-four operator made his debut on February 6 in a 3-0 Scottish Cup triumph over Dunfermline at East End Park. He had previously won a UEFA Cup medal with the Anfield team four years prior.
After putting on a devastating display in a 2-0 home league loss to Hearts, Henchoz’s hopes of securing a permanent trade to Parkhead were destroyed less than two months later.
One Sunday national newspaper’s headline cried, “HENCHOZ HORROR SHOW,” and it was hard to argue with that.
NOT A HUGE THING…In January 2005, Martin O’Neill welcomed Stephane Henchoz to Celtic; four months later, he left for Liverpool.
The 30-year-old right-back gave the Edinburgh team their second goal in the 19th minute, which was scored by former Celt Mark Burchill. Ross Wallace came on in his place 17 minutes later. Sadly, O’Neill’s team was unable to bounce back from the previous loss, and the score stayed same.
In one of the worst outcomes of the campaign, 59,562 spectators could not believe what they had just watched, from Henchoz AND the entire team.
Before being sent back to his parent club at the end of the season, the 72-cap player appeared for the Hoops in four starts and four substitute appearances.
That summer, Henchoz relocated to Wigan Athletic, who had just been promoted, and he played for the team for two years before joining Blackburn Rovers.
In October 2008, he declared his retirement from competitive play.
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