Scott Sinclair’s contract situation has been well-documented over the last week.
The Englishman is apparently awaiting confirmation from Chief Executive Peter Lawwell regarding an extension to his deal. If he doesn’t, then he’s free to leave in the summer for nothing.
This has seen many supporters react angrily to the idea he won’t get a contract. Celtic fans generally seem to support the idea of the former Swansea man staying on.
He’s had a productive season on the goal-front so far. Sinclair has bagged 17 for the Hoops, and there’s no denying he’s rediscovered a bit of goal-scoring form.
But he drew a blank against Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday. This resulted in Neil Lennon hooking him at half-time. The truth is, it’s hardly the first time Sinclair should’ve been hooked at the break either.
Don’t get me wrong, I know this is against popular fan opinion. Sinclair’s goals have a lot of people believing he should get a new deal. But that, for me, is nowhere near the case.
The problem with Sinclair is that, whilst he may be good for a goal in low-profile games, he’s generally poor over a 90-minute period.
When he’s on the ball, he’s unreliable in keeping it. He consistently looks off-balance when in possession, and is far too easily brushed off of it too. You can’t watch a game for 90 minutes and say many moves don’t break down with Sinclair.
The former Swansea man has added some goals to his game again, but outside of Aberdeen away, what big game this season has Sinclair truly turned up in? He’s been poor in away matches to Hearts, Hibernian, and Rangers, and consistently hides when we need someone to take responsibility.
17 goals aren’t everything
Many will point to his 17 goals. Whilst that’s true, how many clear cut chances come from good play from Sinclair? He’s becoming far too ineffective, and his performance against David Gray at Easter Road recently was a new low considering he barely got beyond the Hibs right-back.
I would argue that whilst another left-winger may not get the goals Sinclair has, he would certainly create much more for others.
Overall, Sinclair has 151 appearances to his name at Celtic. He’s bagged 60 goals in those outings. Yet, those stats read well, but it’s not all black and white.
If we were judging players on their goals, Kris Boyd would be one of the best in world football. But it was always brought up how poor Boyd was outside of his finishing. Sinclair has that same problem, whilst being a much trickier player than the former Rangers man.
Outside of his goals, he’s not done anywhere near enough over the last two years to merit a lucrative new deal.
Is it an unpopular opinion? Yes. But if we can’t find a better left-winger than Scott Sinclair then we should be worried.
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