Scott Sinclair has said that he is looking forward to making a return to Paradise as part of his pre-season preparations with Preston North End this summer. The English Championship side have a pre-season camp planned in Scotland with a game against Callum Davidson’s Double-winning Saints and then a trip to Glasgow’s East End to face Celtic on July 17th.
Speaking to the Preston website, Sinclair revealed his delight at the news that he would be able to return to Celtic Park, a ground that he enjoyed so many happy memories before he left in January 2020.
“When it was announced I was obviously really excited to go back. I have some great memories of being at Celtic so it’s always nice to go back to former clubs and play against them.
“It’s one of my best times, one of the happiest times of my career so far, just because we were winning every game and winning trophies, league titles and the Scottish Cup. When we went the first season unbeaten, we made history.
“I haven’t been back so I’m looking forward to it. I have never looked forward to a pre-season game against a team so much, so it’ll be nice to go back up there and soak in the atmosphere. Hopefully the fans will be back in and just enjoy it because I didn’t really get a send-off from the fans when I left in January [2020].”
Sinclair was a key player in the Treble Treble team as one of Brendan Rodgers’ favourite players. From signing from Aston Villa, Sinclair scored on his debut and the next four games after that – becoming the first player in 94 years to score five goals in his first five games. However, Rodgers’ departure and the arrival of Neil Lennon saw Sinclair’s game time dry up and he was clearly out of favour with Lennon.
In 167 appearances, Sinclair scored 62 goals as well as winning 9 trophies in his time in Glasgow. He was also a fan favourite and he spoke about his hope that the supporters will be back in the ground for the game in July.
“I have unbelievable memories there. I hope that all the fans will be allowed back in at the time when pre-season happens.
“With the treble treble and myself getting Player of the Year, and given what we did as a team, it was a great three and a half years.
“I feel like I left on a good note with the fans and I’m sure they’d give me a good reception if they’re watching and they’re in, so it’ll be a great day. For a pre-season friendly, you couldn’t ask for a better club to play against.
“They’re a great side. Obviously they didn’t get the title this season, but the main thing for them is to rebuild and I’m sure they’ll have a better season next year.”
Sinclair was a great servant for the club and it was sad to see him leave in the fashion that he did but he is enjoying his football with PNE and it will be good to see him back at Paradise, albeit strange to be in the away team. In truth, we missed players like Sinclair this year and he would definitely have offered an improvement on some of the woeful performances across the course of the year.
