Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson believes departing manager Oliver Glasner helped build a special bond between the players and the fans as the side bid for European glory on Wednesday.
The Eagles take on Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig in the UEFA Conference League final with the England goalkeeper quick to say the special connection with the supporters is not just limited to him.
“The connection with the supporters is an honour to have really but I also think the team's got a special connection with the supporters too,” said the goalkeeper, who has led the Palace faithful on numerous chants after joining the club in August 2023.
“When I joined the football club, I felt like that [connection] was missing – I don't think that was in place. It’s good to see that since the manager has come in, we've built that rapport with the supporters because it's important and they can really help us tomorrow night again, like they have in the previous big games.”
As captain, Dean Henderson will lift the trophy should the South London side win, but he the former Nottingham Forest shotstopper is not thinking about the end result just yet.
“Obviously it'd be a huge honour. But ultimately, I've got to focus on the process and not the outcome at this moment in time,” said the 29-year-old about lifting the trophy.
“It’s just a lot of excitement and looking forward to the game. All the boys are pretty calm, everyone’s calm within the dressing room. Come tomorrow night, we'll obviously be focused and we'll just be excited to get out there and show what we can do.”
Two players who will not be playing are the long-term injured pair of Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure.
Despite their unavailability, the duo were included on the squad travelling list and will be in Germany to support the squad from the sides.
“It's great to have the boys with us,” said Henderson, who was selected for the England World Cup squad last week. “They've worked so hard throughout the season. They've had setbacks and it's difficult, but we live the pain with them as well. It'll be great for them to be in and around it tomorrow night and hopefully we can give them something to celebrate."
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