Scott Brown "sad" to see Scott Sinclair leave Celtic for Preston

By David Walton

January 15, 2020

Scott Brown has given his view on Scott Sinclair’s move from Celtic to Preston.

The Englishman departed Parkhead to sign for the Championship club last week. He then went on to make his Preston debut at the weekend in the 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers in a 10-minute cameo.

Looking back though, Sinclair did it all at Parkhead. He experienced Champions League and Europa League football, as well as winning the treble-treble and securing a Player of the Year award. There’s not many if any boxes that Sinky didn’t tick in Glasgow.

Ppreston’s Scott Sinclair (Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

And even though he’s been on a decline in recent years, it’s those happy memories that add real sadness to his departure. Broony has finally opened up on his own thoughts regarding the transfer too. Speaking to the Celtic View (Volume 55, Issue 25, Page 15), our captain touched on a chat he had with Sinclair before he left.

“I spoke to Scotty just as he was leaving. It’s sad to see him go, he was fantastic for the club, but he wants to go on and get games and that’s totally understandable. The way it’s been more recently, he wasn’t getting as much game-time here, but these things happen in football.

“For him, it’s a great opportunity, and now he gets to go back down to England, be a part of something new and I’m sure he’ll thrive. What he did for us at Celtic was outstanding, and in that first season he was frightening.

“He won Player of the Year during his time here as well, which shows how much of a top-quality player he was for us.”

Who will step into Sinclair’s shoes?

Right now we have a gap down the left for someone to step into and become our new first-choice. At the moment, it’s difficult to say we really have an undroppable left-winger.

Celtic’s Mikey Johnston (Paul Ursachi/MB Media/Getty Images)

Mikey Johnston and Mohamed Elyounoussi are the current front-runners, but both have been struck down with injuries. Behind that, Jonny Hayes would be next in line with Lewis Morgan set to depart (Daily Mail). So Celtic clearly have options, and you could see why Sinky felt he had to go.

It’s also worth remembering that Sinclair has hardly left to put his feet up. He’s throwing himself into a real opportunity and a high-intensity environment. If he manages to get Preston promoted, and there’s a fair chance of that, he’ll find himself suddenly in the Premier League once again. Who could’ve imagined that a few months ago?

Brown’s reaction to the departure shows just what kind of effect he had in the dressing room also. He was clearly a favourite, and losing a personality like that will be a blow for the squad.

Scott Brown and Scott Sinclair (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

But it says a lot about Sinky’s performances in the 2016/17 season that he’s being remembered so fondly. Granted, he still contributed in the two seasons afterward, but things weren’t the same. When you think back on his time here, your mind automatically drifts to his first year.

Sinclair leaves Parkhead having scored 62 goals in 167 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt). He also leaves with the satisfaction of having never lost a trophy either. Not many can say that after spending three-and-a-half years in Glasgow.