Celtic were invincible domestically in season 2016-17. Players like Tierney, Dembele, Roberts and Rogic lit up the league, but Scott Sinclair was unequivocally Player of the Year. His impact on the team was immediate, scoring 20 minutes after coming on at Tynecastle on his debut and turning up on all the big occasions.
His partnership with Tierney on the left forced opponents to become preoccupied with stopping Celtic down that wing, which allowed others freedom elsewhere.
One moment in particular stood out. Celtic were 65 games into their unbeaten domestic run when they faced Motherwell at Fir Park in November 2017. The same teams met three days earlier in the League Cup Final, which was settled when Scott won a penalty, converted by Moussa Dembele, which saw Cedric Kipre ordered off.
At Fir Park, the Motherwell fans jeered Scott every time he touched the ball, blaming him for making the most of the contact from Kipre. It must have been a torrid experience for the player. An own goal by Mikeal Lustig gave the home team a lead on 78 minutes but Celtic won a penalty with two minutes remaining.
When many players hide under that kind of scrutiny, Scott grabbed the ball, scored the penalty and extended our unbeaten run. It was a great moment in our treble treble years. He was a player who never hid.
The decision to take up the option to extend his contract by a year in May looked obvious. He was a known resource at a time when the team faced a number of changes. I have no idea why Neil Lennon left him out so much this season. Mikey Johnston and Mohamed Elyounoussi are at the top of their game, but have been out injured simultaneously. Still, Scott was only used for a meaningless Europa League fixture.
He leaves for Preston a Celtic great.
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BSR
I blame the Rt Hon P Lawwell Esq.
Scott Sinclair enjoyed the time he was here & the admiration he got
from us all however Scott Sinclair is now history good luck to the
young Man & thanks for the memories its time to move on
BANKIEBHOY1 on 9TH JANUARY 2020 1:01 PM
Were you a puddle drinker tae.
Peter and Dermot the Royal we.
Paul,” Mikey Johnston is at the top of his game ” did you see his performance in the sevco game. Little lost boy.
As for Lewis Morgan before SS, unbelievable .
Do you think NL was consulted when SS contract was extended.
THE Irish rebel song Come out Ye Black and Tans has rocketed to the top of the Irish iTunes charts, beating Lewis Capaldi.
Don’t think wee Lewis will mind…
Scott Sinclair was a great player for us, there can be no doubt in the value of his contribution to our club. He was also a very high earner.
His influence and effectiveness started to wane in a way not dissimilar to the team after losing it’s unbeaten record.
Starting with the Anderlecht win at Celtic Park, quickly followed by the 4-0 Hearts defeat, it became obvious that we had been ‘sussed’ Other teams refused to let us play out from the back and we apparently had no plan B. That we continued to pick up every domestic trophy during this time is testament to the absence of any real challenge and the skill and determination of individuals within our squad.
Like the team, Scott’s style of play was also ‘sussed’ by opponents. They doubled/trebled up on him and his erstwhile exciting wing-play was all but nullified. Fans were getting on his back, however Brendan kept faith. Since Brendan left and Neil took over, it has been apparent that his time was coming to an end. The mystery was why his option year was triggered in the summer last year – probably we’ll never know.
In his first three seasons he was top goalscorer once and second-top twice, scoring 60 goals – a great record.
I wish him and his family all the best – Preston is a lot closer to Coronation Street than Glasgow.
FU?
Puddle drinker?
:)
Naw.
Failed the entrance exam.
Sinclair was brilliant . . . and then he wasn’t. And the change happened long before NFL arrived.
Game after game we wondered how bad he had to play before BR would drop him.
Game after game we hoped the drop in form was a blip and not permanent.
It wasn’t. His time ran out.
Maybe a fresh start will see him regain some of his form.
I wish him the very best. And his lady.
Don’t understand why there is a mystery about a player getting a contract extension, had he been allowed to leave last summer out of contract, there would have been no transfer fee.
Preston won’t be getting him for nothing this month?
Peter doesn’t do freebies CSC
Bada…said choon is used in a Ham telly commercial here………….
It’s a belter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYH0vO9HMlM
We better have 2 forwards a CH and midielder before re-start. Should have been lined up tojopin on Jan 1st. We need them last summer ffs. PS Wish I could pack in my job move abroad and still get paid! Does his dad live in USA?
Paul 67,
A fitting tribute to a wonderful player who appreciated what he had at Paradise.
I’m sure he will be back in the stands supporting us.
HH.
Interesting piece.
Paul has no idea why Sinclair has left.
Follow the money. Another £40k a week saved.
Is the squad stronger with Sinclair in it? Yes. Is he better than Arzani, Shved, Morgan, Hayes, Elyounoussi, Connell, Kouassi? Yes
Lennon has stated he want to be here for 15/16 in a row. Not jut The Ten. This means he is a place man, won’t rock the boat, the board hold all the control. He’s happy with that as he is in his dream job. He didn’t even get to pick his own coaching team. January 9th and no signings. We won’t see any on the Dubai training pitch either. No panic here Lennon says. We’re in a dog fight and the bench on the 29th looked weak.
From the summer transfer window, only Forster and Julien have improved the team. Having Elhamed and Elyounoussi unfit (when it really matters) has given Newco a lifeline. The bank balance allows us to make a statement. Oh but the January window is tough. Bring in 2 players of the calibre of Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy and we know the board mean business.
Blow them away Celtic!
Maybe Harry’s found oot Charlie’s no his daddy after aw!!.
Shockhorror csc.
scott sinclair= bobo balde.
SEAN THORNTON on 9TH JANUARY 2020 2:05 PM
Maybe his wife has found out his supposed family are responsible for the slave trade.
Test
Sinclair was a good servant to the club and a solid pro. He should have played a role this year given that our two LWs have been injured for large parts of the year.
Lenny clearly didn’t fancy him (that much was clear last season)- he didn’t start either Glasgow derby. I think his contract extension was a business decision, not a football one and it clearly didn’t work out.
What kind of memories have the present Celtic support got.These Crocodile tears over the departure of Scott are ridiculous.Now don’t get me wrong,when he arrived,he was ,and remained for a couple of seasons,fantastic for us,and will always be remembered for that,but last season,he was a shadow of that player.Found it impossible to take men on,was content to pass back to who ever was available.He seemed to have lost all the flair he had.Will always be a hero to me,but spare me the re-writing of the past year and a half.
TURKEYBHOY on 9TH JANUARY 2020 2:57 PM
Exactly. Different position obviously but reminds me a bit of the situation with Joos Vaalgaren. Near flawless first season, then steady decline which was hard to fathom.
HH
Joos Joos Joos Joos Joos Joos Joos…
The days when chants were kept simple :)
Round about now somebody will volunteer to give Lewis Morgan a lift to the airport thursell.
Went on to You Tube to listen to SoT`s latest offering and had a watch of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-diW2FfoS-M
Bob Stockoe, being interviewed at about 34 minutes in ( just after the static interference) makes an astonishing claim re Don Revie. Was anyone else ever aware of this?
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 9TH JANUARY 2020 3:07 PM
Round about now somebody will volunteer to give Lewis Morgan a lift to the airport thursell.
=====
Funnily enough, hes now being linked with Inter Miami, Beckhams club.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7869329/Inter-Miami-step-pursuit-Lewis-Morgan-ask-Celtic-permission-talk-winger.html
Bid apparently accepted and player has left training camp apparently to come home and consider the move
Fast moving story…
HH
BSR – I’m heading out that way. You got his number? :¬)
Having looked again at the headline of today’s article, 2 questions arise –
1. Define “great”
2. If Scott Sinclar meets that definition, how many Celtic players make the list?
My opinion? Scott was a very good signing but his impact on our team waned after about 18 months. Very unlikely that he’d make my list of “250 Celtic Greats”. And, no, I’m not inviting votes on that (one for the summer close season perhaps……)!
Bankiebhoy “12:08
Although your projected scenario holds some weight, I just need to listen to those around me at Celtic Park to realise that trolls/ bots are not really necessary. Nevertheless, I really do believe that EVERYONE is influenced to some degree by their genes, background and whatever their current situation is.
The manner in which so many respond so negatively to Celtic in times of unparalleled success leaves me to conclude that the aforementioned influences still play a big part.
Of course there are aspects of Celtic plc which cause me real concern ( Res 12) and anguish (failure to take on th SFA) but on the playing side, there is much to be pleased about. Is the current negativity to do with worry that Sevco MIGHT win the League?
I like what I have seen in Lewis Morgan
TBB
You don`t happen to be going to Florida ?
WDH
So do I but it would seem that we are very much in a minority. Mind you, that could soon change if he does leave !!
Hot Smoked
Miami? Nah, I prefer my winter sun with snow beneath the feet. And anyway, I’m just running a message out that way. No trip for TBB right now.
HOT SMOKED on 9TH JANUARY 2020 3:13 PM
Astonishing right enough.
Surprising not to have heard about the claim before.
HOT SMOKED
9TH JANUARY 2020 15:29
Agree – I could have written your last paragraph verbatim.
I make no comment on your observations of the previous post you answered – I haven’t the faintest idea what it was about. HH
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 9TH JANUARY 2020 2:53 PM
Sinclair was a good servant to the club and a solid pro. He should have played a role this year given that our two LWs have been injured for large parts of the year.
We won every game when both MJ and ME didn’t start except for Hibs when we drew.
Sinclair started once this season and we lost 2-0