Scott Sinclair reflects on time at Celtic, asked for favourite match

By Euan Davidson

July 15, 2021

Beyond actually having supporters inside Celtic Park on Saturday, there’ll be another important return when the Bhoys meet Preston, with Scott Sinclair returning to Paradise.

Sinclair, so often a match-winner and stand-out at Celtic, moved to Preston North End in January of 2020. During his time back in the English Championship, the former Aston Villa and Swansea winger has scored 12 goals, and set up 5 more [Transfermarkt].

At Celtic, meanwhile, his numbers were staggering. In little under 170 games, Sinclair scored 62 goals and assisted 34. It’s little wonder, then, that he was gifted his own song from the Celtic faithful. Few in the Bhoys support can think of the Logical Song without also hearing Sinclair’s name.

The Brendan Rodgers signing reflected on his time at Celtic ahead of Preston’s visit to Paradise. He told the Lancashire Post:

“I always knew how big the club was and I knew Brendan very well.

“To be honest I didn’t need much persuading to go up there and it was to prove a great few years.

“On Saturday it will be good to go back and see a few of the old faces.”

Scott Sinclair on his favourite Celtic game

Asked for a stand-out night or performance at Celtic, Sinclair said [Lancashire Post]:

“Just off the top of my head there are so many game and goals which are memorable.

“It would be too difficult to pick one moment and say that was the best.

“I’m talking about the European nights through to the Old Firm [sic] games, there are so many good memories of what we achieved as a team.”

You have to say: fair play. If I’d won three consecutive trebles, played in big European nights and was adored by supporters, I’d probably find it difficult to pick out a favourite, too.

While it’s only a friendly match, more a glorified training game than a competitive meeting, there’s still plenty of sentiment to be had. It feels right that Sinclair is coming back when fans are allowed into Celtic Park. Granted, they won’t be in huge numbers.

That doesn’t matter though; it’d still feel incredibly weird for Sinclair to play in a completely empty Paradise.

Given our struggles on the left wing since the former Manchester City winger left, you’d be forgiven for wondering whether it would’ve been better to keep him.

For his part, though, he has an unblemished domestic record in Scotland, and plenty of fond memories to look back on. It’ll be great to see him in Paradise once more.

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