Scotty Sinclair was the signing that probably defined Brendan Rodgers as Celtic manager first time around. A player Rodgers knew well who was perhaps at a crossroads in his career in English football, followed his mentor up the road and the rest as they say is history.
Scotty hit the ground running coming off the bench at Tynecastle in the season opener, just after he’d signed for the club, to score a dramatic winner and from there Celtic and Scotty Sinclair never looked back in that incredible season.
Author Matt Corr of this parish (he’s also a stadium tour guide at Celtic Park) documents this unique season in his debut book Invincible and so many of the players from that fabulous team and their families are the proud owners of copies, including, I believe, the manager himself!
Invincible – the story of that incredible season – is currently available in our summer sale for just £8, with ordering details at the end of this article.
Scotty Sinclair remains a Celtic man to this day and had been an avid follower of the club’s fortunes since he returned out of the border after winning an incredible 14 honours playing for Celtic and the 15th honour came from the supporters with that wonderful song. Fancy another listen?
Scotty has been talking about the imminent return of Brendan Rodgers to Celtic and how he thinks that will turn out to be a huge success. He notes that this time he’s coming in the club inheriting a squad that has just won a Treble and reckons that most if not all the players will want to work under the incoming, returning elite coach.
“It would be a great thing if Brendan comes back to Celtic,” Scotty Sinclair told Scottish Sun. “When you leave Celtic, it stays with you and it is such a big club. If he does return then I’m sure he would be so happy to be their manager once again.
“Could they have another Invincible season under him? Definitely. I’m a big fan of Celtic, so I am always watching what they are doing.
“And I’m so happy to see them back where they belong — on top in Scotland. They have just won the Treble, and if Brendan came back then he would be desperate to keep that winning run going, just like he did when he first came in.
“Back in 2016, there was work for him to do and he changed a few things. This time he could be walking into a club winning a Treble. He made a few signings and turned things round really quickly, so it is very different this time around for him.
“He would have a squad who are used to winning and bringing success to Celtic. But he has been there and done it and everyone knows he is a top manager. If he comes back again he would look to continue their winning ways.
“Brendan knows what being in Glasgow is all about so that wouldn’t worry him. He will just want to bring success to the club, like he did in his first spell.”
On the current crop of Celtic players, Scotty Sinclair is a big fan of Kyogo and can see why many clubs would like to sign the Celtic goalscorer and Scotland’s Player of the Year who yesterday scored for Japan. And while there will be opportunities elsewhere Scotty reckons that there are also plenty of reasons to stay at Celtic for the fans favourite.
“Brendan is someone that the players really want to play for. He would speak to all the guys at Celtic and see where their heads are at. But he’s been at the very top in terms of management at huge clubs, and is someone players learn from.
“It would be up to the players, but I am sure he would want to keep them because they are top players. Kyogo is a great player and he has had two terrific seasons in Scotland. He deserves all the praise, he has scored so many goals for Celtic and loads of clubs will be lining up for him.
Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park on June 03, 2023 . (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
“It will be up to Kyogo whether he wants to stay or go. But he is at a massive club with a huge fanbase who love him.”
HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!
The Celtic Star’s Father’s Day Promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).
All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!