Scott Sinclair revived his career in Scotland last season.

He arrived at Celtic in the summer of 2017 and went on to win the player of the year titles as the Hoops went on to win an historic treble without losing a domestic fixture.

Sinclair hasn’t had the same impact this term. To be fair, the English forward still has a healthy seventeen goal tally to his name this year but he hasn’t started in some of the club’s bigger games including the last derby game against Rangers or in either of the legs against Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League.

The twenty-eight year old was also benched in the club’s last outing against Motherwell.

As Scott has struggled to regain the sensational form he enjoyed last season, long term Celtic stalwart James Forrest has flourished and started to produce the consistent performances that people have been demanding from him. So much so that Forrest has now been mentioned as possible contender for this year’s player of the year awards.

Former AFC Bournemouth manager Harry Redknapp has stated that if Celtic were to sell the attacker then the Cherries should try and entice him to the English south coast:

“I’d be surprised if Celtic were to sell him. But if they do, and Bournemouth were to go for him, it could be a great move. I’d love to see him playing down here.”

It could make sense for all concerned if Sinclair were to move on during the summer transfer window.

As I’ve said his form has dipped slightly during this campaign but not to the degree were it would put off potential suitors. In fact, he’s just not been as consistently great this year.

So you’d imagine that Celtic might be able to get between £5m and £6m for the forward. That would mean a profit on the £3m they signed him for in 2017. They’ll have more chance of getting that premium fee if they sell during the next preseason as the player will still have two years left on his current Hoops contract.

Celtic might also feel they have enough for the wider roles with James Forrest and Johnny Hayes there plus the Scottish Premiership champions would also have Ryan Christie and Lewis Morgan coming back from loan spells and they could possibly add more competition for starting on the wings, if they are part of Brendan Rodgers‘ first team plans for 2018/17.

The Glasgow giants might believe that they can persuade Manchester City to sell Patrick Roberts and if they can, then maybe selling Sinclair could come help fund that possible deal. Or alternatively they could go for another established player ready to prove his worth a Parkhead.

Scott Sinclair himself might feel that it’s time for a change. He’ll have spent two years in Scotland and has won plenty of medals and personal awards. He’s also played in the Champions League. So maybe he believes he’s done all he can up here and he has scores to settle back in his homeland.

The player has also unfortunately suffered from plenty of abuse from opposition supporters while playing in Scotland, a lot of which has been of a racial nature. Getting away from the Glasgow goldfish bowl might suit the young family man.

I believe that if Celtic can get the right money in, then it could be best for everyone concerned that Sinclair leaves in the summer. His superb season last year will cement his place in Celtic folklore but the time could be right for him to prove himself in England again and for Celtic to bring in younger, hungrier talent!

Posted on March 27th, 2018 by scott
Filed under: Article