Scott Sinclair’s position in the Celtic squad has been on the decline since the start of the season.
The former Manchester City and Aston Villa man began the campaign with a goal in Sarajevo. He would go on to play half of our Champions League qualifiers as well as make a cameo appearance at Fir Park back in August.
But that’s been as good as it’s gotten for Sinclair this term. After Fir Park, he didn’t make any of the next four matchday squads in the Premiership, and has played just six more minutes in the league since.
With a contract that expires at the end of the season (Transfermarkt), Sinky isn’t in a great place. In more recent times, he’s been out of the squad against Hibernian and St Mirren in our last two matches.
But with Mikey Johnston sidelined along with three more fresh injuries (Celtic Twitter), a spot may open up tonight for the Englishman.
It’s certainly something a section of our supporters have been crying out for too. Here’s a look at some of the reaction to his omissions over the last few months:
https://twitter.com/cheesybiscuit_/status/1170728235363131393
Sinclair has his backers, but can he get back into the team?
Celtic are lacking tonight in cover for Mohamed Elyounoussi. The Norwegian will surely start tonight in Rome after bagging his sixth and seventh goals for the Hoops against Hibernian.
Next on the list behind Johnston, you have to imagine would be Sinclair. Lenny, of course, does like to bring on Jonny Hayes, but he could also be needed for left-back cover tonight.
So it could be the case that Sinclair comes back into the matchday squad tonight, albeit only as cover. If you’re asking the question of whether he can return to the starting line-up soon, that’s another story.
The truth is Sinclair’s form took a huge dip last season under Neil Lennon. He remained the highest goalscorer of the treble-treble run, and that’s mightily impressive. But his overall displays haven’t been much to shout about over the last year or so. With quality such as Elyounoussi and Johnston ahead of him, it’s tough to see where his minutes come from outside of injuries to the duo.
Celtic also have Lewis Morgan in reserve who can play at left-mid. Lennon has given him run-outs on 12 occasions this season. So Sinclair still has competition to fend off from him too.
But don’t be surprised if Sinky gets a spot on the bench tonight. At the very least, it’ll show Lenny has trust in him for a game as difficult as Lazio away.
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