Barring the Champions League qualifier tie against Cluj, Celtic have started their season exceedingly well on all fronts as they are yet to drop points in the league and they secured a respectable draw against Rennes in the Europa League. However, one player who has been away from first-team football is Scott Sinclair, and he has even found it hard to feature in the matchday squads.
Noel Whelan on why Sinclair is being ignored
Former Leeds United striker and BBC commentator Noel Whelan believes that Scott Sinclair and Neil Lennon must have had some off-field issues which has seen the winger fall down the pecking order. Whelan speaking to Football Insider said, ”There’s been a fall-out at the training ground, or something’s happened at the training ground. That’s the only explanation, really, that I can think of.”
“Yes, Celtic have started the season very well, but Scott Sinclair is easily good enough to get in their squad and, in the team as well when he’s fit and firing. Just look at his record under Brendan Rodgers. He was superb and won the Scottish player of the year.”
The player was named PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year in 2017, and it is certainly a fall from grace for the former Aston Villa winger. Even the 2018-19 campaign was a fruitful one for him as he managed 17 goals in all competitions. But ever since Neil Lennon took over in February, the Englishman has fallen behind in the pecking order.
Even someone like Lewis Morgan who was sent away on loan last season has been preferred by Lennon so far this season. Whelan is definitely right that there must have been a fall out between the two; as in terms of abilities, Sinclair should at least be making the bench.
The winger was in the final few months of his contract before Celtic decided to trigger a year-long extension. Sinclair drew some interest in the summer, but nothing materialised, and he stayed put at Parkhead.
What can Celtic do?
We think that he should be given a go in the first team in some games and atleast be involved in the squad during the match days. That way he will remain match fit, and the Hoops can then look to ship him away in January for some money. Keeping him out of the picture completely might make prospective buyers sceptical about his fitness and match readiness which will affect their offer for the player.
