SCOTTY SINCLAIR remains a key player for Celtic and has a huge part to play in Brendan Rodgers’ plans, according to the Celtic manager.
Last year’s top scorer and the season before’s multiple Player of the Year winner has enjoyed an excellent pre-season and the manager believes he is set to re-capture the sparkling form from his first season in Glasgow.
One complication for Sinclair though is the change in tactics and formation that has seen two strikers being utilised – so far Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard, as Leigh Griffiths is out with yet another injury.
Sinclair has found himself on the bench as a result but Rodgers doesn’t see that remaining a long term situation for the former Aston Villa attacker. He can simply alter his game to suit the style and the formations that Celtic will employ this year, believes Rodgers and he knows that Sinclair has this in his locker anyway.
“The beauty of the team now is that we can play in different systems.
“Where will Scott play in this system? It depends, but he can play inside one, up front,” Brendan explained.
“It’s just important that he’s back to working the way he was. And he has been great in pre-season.
“It’s a long campaign. We’ll play different systems and it will be about what we feel a specific game needs.
“We want to attack more this season and be more aggressive.
“I’ve been really pleased in the early part of this season in terms of how that has evolved.”
Looking forward to Wednesday visit from Rosenborg – who have managed to put themselves into crisis mode after a vert fortunate win over Icelandic minnows Valur on Wednesday night – Rodgers is focused on his players and on negotiating a way through to the third round.
“Rosenborg have had a few changes, but how they play is exactly the same – it has been that way for a number of years. They go 4-3-3 and try to work the ball.
“Any game at this stage is tough, but we’ll look to take an advantage from the home leg on Wednesday over to Norway.
“You see the fitness levels of our players and the condition they’re in. They look strong and very focused.”
On the draw for the next round – which will take place on Monday, Matt Corr posted this detailed piece yesterday on The Celtic Star, it is well worth a read – see HERE.
