SCOTTY SINCLAIR SAYS ‘THANK YOU’ TO ‘MENTOR’ AND ‘TRUE FRIEND’ CYRILLE REGIS
SCOTTY SINCLAIR last night posted an emotional message to his ‘mentor’ and ‘true friend’ Cyrille Regis who sadly passed away yesterday.
The West Brom legend, who was only 59, worked for the agency that Scotty has used throughout his career and Regis has acted as a mentor for the young star as he has found his way in the game, taking him to various clubs in England before moving to Celtic in August 2016.
Regis was there to support Sinclair at the beginning of his career at Bristol Rovers and has supported the talented forward every step of the way, until yesterday.
So last night the Celtic star took to social media to say thank you to the big man who lit up English football in the 1970s and just like Sinclair has had to face in his time in Scotland, he suffered severe racist abuse while playing for West Brom, Coventry and England.
Posting on Instagram, Scotty said: “From signing my first pro contract you have been there every step of the way.
“Not only as a mentor but a true friend! RIP Big C.”
Regis worked for the Stellar agency and in that capacity took Sinclair under his wing as he started at Bristol Rovers and then earned a move to Chelsea. Next up was a move to Wales to play for Brendan Rodgers at Swansea and after a hugely impressive spell in Wales the winger moved to Manchester City.
That never quite worked out and it was followed by a move to the Midlands to play for Aston Villa, just a few miles from Regis’ old stomping ground at the Hawthorns. Then it was back to work with Brendan and the move to Celtic where he has been a hugely successful addition to the squad, winning various player of the year awards in his first season.
That would have delighted Cyrille Regis and he would have been able to advise Scotty on the nastier side of his move to Glasgow when he was the subject of racial abuse at Ibrox.
The Stellar Agency has also expressed their sadness at losing Cyrille.
Jonathan Barnett, the agency’s chairman wrote on their website:
“Cyrille was a wonderful person to work with and his death has left everyone in the company and the players he represented with a great sense of sadness.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Julia and all of Cyrille’s family and close friends.
“Cyrille was a pioneer in British football and hugely respected by everyone in the game.
“He was a role model to his young clients and a genuinely lovely man.”
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A Celtic State of Mind presents its 30th instalment of insightful discussion around the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning treble-winning Scottish champions.
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