SCOTTY SINCLAIR made a very welcome return to the Celtic first team last night. He’s not been seen since coming on as a substitute in the 5-2 win at Fir Park on 10 August. Strangely he’s not been able to find a way back into the match-day squad until last night when he came on the a rapturous reception from the Celtic support at Paradise last night.
Memo to the Celtic Ticket Office – we were there, just like last season, and some of us never got a ticket for Hampden in the ballot before the Scottish Cup Final. Maybe those supporters in that particular position will be rewarded for their patience, understanding and support, this time around?
Neil Lennon started with two wingers last night, Lewis Morgan and Mo Elyounoussi. The former tried very hard without managing to particularly influence the game, you felt he was becoming increasingly frustrated with this situation the longer the game progressed. The latter, on loan from Southampton never really impacted on the game and was eventually withdrawn to be replaced by the Celtic legend of the Treble Treble seasons.
Scotty, inspired by that wonderful welcome back, set about impacting on the game in a way that Morgan or Elyounoussi couldn’t. He scored one, forced a wonderful save from the Thistle keeper too prevent another and worked a brilliant one two move with Bayo – who had a fantastic game leading the line – and only failed to double his total by trying to set up the big striker when he was one on one at close range.
Sinclair, as his post on social media, made it very clear that he loved the moment when that ball hit the back of the net and he ran over to celebrate with the fans in the corner of the North stand and the Jock Stein.
“Oh I’ve missed this feeling, unbelievable reception from the fans, I will continue to keep fighting for this shirt,” Scotty posted on his Instagram account.
Neil Lennon spoke about Sinclair after the match. The Celtic manager dismissed the rumours that there had been some kind of fall-out between himself and the former Player of the Year.
“Scott Sinclair is still very much part of the squad. We have seen a good reaction from him. He isn’t a sulker and his body language in training is improving all the time.” Lennon told Celtic TV after the game, see below.
While it is re-assuring to hear the manager speak so positively about Scotty it remains something of a mystery that he has been unable to appreciate what the winder brings to the team. Certainly every Celtic supporter inside Celtic Park last night made sure that Lenny got the message on their opinion of the player.
And Scotty Sinclair set out proving them right.
If there’s not been a fall-out, or some kind of boardroom ploy to move the Englishman on, then if it’s only football related Scotty Sinclair certainly gave the manager something to think about last night.
Neil Lennon is too good a manager not to recognise he’s had a blind-spot as far as Scotty Sinclair is concerned. Hopefully last night he saw the light.
Welcome back Scotty!
????⚽️ #CELPAR UNIQUE ANGLE ⚽️????
Bayo ????
Rogic ????♂️
Ntcham x2 ????
Sinclair ⚡️Into the semi-final we go! #BetfredCup ???? pic.twitter.com/R8ce70Ymcv
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) September 26, 2019
Another player making a return last night after a period out of the team was Jack Hendry, who replaced Man of the Match Jeremie Frimpong late in the game. The central defender also took to Instagram, saying “Good to be back out there with the lads tonight after frustrating few months with injury, great result and into the semis.”
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…
‘I’m very grateful that the manager gave me a chance,’ Debut Bhoy praises Lenny…see HERE.
Just how ‘Tangled Up’ were Celtic following Rangers FC liquidation? Asking for a (Res 12) Friend…see HERE.
‘Celtic should run their own streaming service and call it Caflix,’ reckons Chairman Lmao…see HERE.
‘The scoreline didn’t flatter Celtic,’ admits Jags boss McCall after five goal thrashing…see HERE.
‘What Kenny Miller does in the privacy is no business of the Green Brigade,’ David Potter…see HERE.
Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic 5 West End Thespians 0…see HERE.
‘Tom Rogic was simply breath-taking.Take a bow Olivier Ntcham. A masterclass,’ Niall J…see HERE.
Celtic’s five goal thrashing sets up semifinal against Hibs…see HERE.
‘Hail Hail, les Celts sont ici’ – Matt Corr’s Rennes Diary…see HERE.
