Celtic manager Neil Lennon offers hope to Scott Sinclair

Add as preferred source on Google

Scott Sinclair’s omission against Motherwell was a surprise for many, but Neil Lennon has offered him hope.

The Englishman wasn’t a part of the matchday squad yesterday as Celtic overcame the Steelmen 2-0 at Parkhead. It continues his in-again, out-again start to the campaign. Sinclair was most recently in a squad just last Thursday in Lazio, as an unused substitute against the Serie A side.

But Lennon hasn’t been using him frequently whatsoever. In total this season, Sinky has had just 17 minutes of Premiership action and has failed to be a part of seven out of 13 squads (Transfermarkt).

Fortunately for Sinclair, Lenny stated to BBC Sportsound (10/11, pre-match) before the game yesterday that he would get some game-time in December.

Squad rotation will be key during a critical period for the club.

He said the following on Sinclair’s current situation: “We’ve got nine games in December and I imagine Scott will figure in the squad or even the team in some of those games.”

An opportunity that Sinclair has to take

It’s difficult to feel too positive for the Englishman. After all, Lewis Morgan was called onto the bench vs Motherwell and even made a late cameo too. Why wasn’t Sinclair given that opportunity? It perhaps points to the idea that Sinclair is even further down the pecking order.

He already has Mohamed Elyounoussi and Mikey Johnston ahead of him as it stands. It’s bad enough without being below Morgan too.

So if Lennon has his eyes set on giving Sinclair more game-time in December, he has to take it. You would feel that it’s last-chance saloon for him to make an impact.

He’s struggled to kick on since Lenny came in the door. He’s scored just two goals for the club since Lennon came back to Celtic in February. That’s a pretty abysmal record, regardless of whether he’s been playing regularly or not.

The duo of Lennon and Sinclair just haven’t clicked in a way any of us would’ve liked. But with the latest and perhaps the final chance of a reprieve for the Englishman, it seems as if he has to show what he’s got if he’s to have any chance of securing a future here beyond the end of the campaign.