The news that Scott Sinclair has gotten engaged to his long term girlfriend Helen Flanagan has been hail hailed by the Celtic supporters as a wonderful piece of news for a much loved and respected part of the team.
But it’s good news for more than Scott and his bride to be.
It’s good news for Celtic too.
I said earlier that Lewis Morgan would have one major difficulty in breaking in to the Celtic team in the coming year, and Scott Sinclair is it. Our young winger might have spotted what he thought was an open window; in fact, that window is going to close with a bang. Scott Sinclair will be better than ever next season. He might well have the best year of his career.
Scott has had some problems in the last 12 months.
Anyone could see that.
We don’t do gossip on this site, but there were reports that some of it was related to his domestic situation. Whatever the issues were, it’s pretty clear that they’ve been resolved. He and his good lady are having a baby and are all set to tie the knot.
Let’s not forget, he was also targeted by vile racism both inside and outside grounds, including a deplorable incident at Glasgow Airport.
But that’s all in the past.
Whatever was on his mind, it should now be at ease.
Things in his life have never looked better, or had more balance.
Now, the one difficulty I could foresee is if Scott had told the manager that he wants to leave, and that his family situation, and his impending fatherhood, is what has made up his mind, but there has been no sign of that either in his comments or those out of Celtic Park.
On the contrary.
We can completely rule it out, based on his own public statements.
Scott is happy at our club.
He’s winning things, he’s a hero to the supporters and he is working with a manager who respects him and believes in him.
When one Scottish tabloid tried to stir the soup last season by insisting that he wanted a move away this summer Sinclair himself crushed the story, in an interview he gave to our official website where he summed up his feelings in a way that could not be misinterpreted.
“It was just speculation and maybe because I didn’t play in the last couple of games – but I love this club and I love being here,” he said. “This is why I chose to play for Celtic. I’m happy and enjoying my football. There’s always going to be speculation, but I need to put my head down and get back to the form that I showed the fans last year. I have been to so many clubs and this is where I’ve been at my happiest. Leaving here would be out the question. I want to be here for 10-in-a-row.”
So yes, although he found himself out of the team towards the end of the last campaign at no point did he consider leaving. He was taken out of the side for his own good as much as anything else. He wasn’t playing well. His head was down.
But a new season means a fresh start, and with a life-work balance that is more level there is no doubt in my mind that we will see him at his best again … and maybe better than he has ever been. Whilst that’s not great news for Lewis Morgan or Jonny Hayes it’s certainly what Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic fans have been hoping for.
Congratulations Scott and Helen.
The whole Family is delighted with your good news.