‘At Celtic, I was happiest I’ve ever been,’ Scotty Sinclair

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The Celtic Star

·19 mars 2026

‘At Celtic, I was happiest I’ve ever been,’ Scotty Sinclair

Scotty Sinclair has been reflecting on his amazing time at Celtic, describing it as the happiest he’s ever been and the fast as lightning winger, reckons there will be more happy times at Celtic as the Hoops come out on top in the three-way battle for the Scottish Premiership title…

Scott Sinclair of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Play-Offs Round First Leg match between Celtic FC and FK Astana at Celtic Park on August 16, 2017 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Scott Sinclair enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Celtic after joining the club in the summer of 2016 under manager Brendan Rodgers. Arriving from Aston Villa, Sinclair was seen as a talented but somewhat inconsistent winger whose career needed revitalised. In Glasgow, however, he quickly rediscovered his best form and he loved every minute of his fairytale spell wearing the Hoops.

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Scott Sinclair of Celtic scores his winning goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Celtic on August 7, 2016. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Sinclair made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Hearts and quickly establishing himself as a key attacking outlet on the left flank. His pace, direct running, and eye for goal made him a constant threat in domestic and European competitions. During the 2016–17 season, he played a pivotal role in Celtic’s historic “Invincible” treble, as the club went unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership, while also lifting the Scottish Cup and League Cup.

Individually, Sinclair’s performances were recognised with multiple honours, including the PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year award. He finished that debut season with over 25 goals in all competitions—an outstanding return for a wide player—and formed a potent attacking partnership with the likes of Moussa Dembélé and Stuart Armstrong with all three being recognised in song by the inventive Celtic support. Here’s Scotty’s brilliant song…

Although his influence slightly diminished in later seasons—particularly following managerial changes and increased competition for places—Sinclair still contributed to further domestic success, adding more league titles and cup medals to his collection. By the time he departed in January 2020, he had won multiple trophies and scored over 60 goals for the club.

Scott Sinclair of Celtic celebrates his goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 10, 2016. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Overall, Sinclair’s time at Celtic is remembered as the peak of his career: a period in which he fulfilled his potential, became a fan favourite, and played a central role in one of the most dominant eras in the club’s modern history.

Scotty Sinclair has been speaking to OLBG regarding his time at Celtic, Brendan Rodgers going back to Celtic in 2023, the Scottish Premiership title race this season and the Scotland player who can make an impact at the World Cup Finals this summer. Here’s what Scotty has been saying…

Scott Brown (L), and Scott Sinclair of Celtic celebrates as Celtic beat Motherwell 2-0 during the Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Motherwell at Hampden Park on May 19, 2018. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

As soon as Celtic came in for me it was a straight yes – I was the happiest I’ve ever been there

Scott Sinclair admits that his time at Celtic was indeed magical, wonderful and every other compliment that came his way from an appreciative Celtic support.

“For me, the main thing was to go and enjoy my football. As soon as Celtic came in, it was a straight yes. I was leaving Aston Villa at the same time and I thought I was due a change. I went up there and it worked out even better than I could have imagined.

“It’s probably one of the best experiences, the best place, and the happiest place I’ve been in when I was at Celtic. We did extraordinary things, and obviously winning the Treble Treble just makes it even better.

“The Premier League is passionate, but when I did go up there, it is even more passionate. Everywhere you go, they live and breathe football. When you’re playing in front of 60,000 at Celtic, it’s unbelievable.

Scott Sinclair of Celtic celebrates with team-mate Oliver Burke during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park on January 23, 2019. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“When you first go up there, you don’t really know how big it actually is until you’re in the games and you’re playing the Old Firm (sic) games. They are the main games to play in. I think anyone who leaves Celtic always wants to go back.

“We had such a quality team. For me, the goal was to go up there and win silverware, to get trophies. In the first year, we did the invincible treble. That’s just something spectacular that we did as a team. And to go and replicate that, winning three trophies for the three years I was there, it worked out much better than I could have even imagined,” Scott Sinclair said.

You can read all about Scotty’s magical first season at Celtic in Matt Corr’s outstanding INVINCIBLE which is of course published by Celtic Star Books and available HERE.

Invincible by Matt Corr, available now at Celticstarbooks.com – click to order for just £10 plus P&P.

Things weren’t the same when Brendan Rodgers went back to Celtic

Here’s what Scott Sinclair has had to say about Brendan Rodgers going back to Celtic for a second time in charge and why he reckons it didn’t really work out as Brendan would have liked.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)

“That’s just football. Even managers, once you leave Celtic, you want to go back, and it’s exactly the same for the players. I think he went back there and obviously he’s moved on again because he wanted a change.

“I don’t think it felt the same as his first time. Sometimes when you go back to a club, you expect to have the same results and the same winning mentality, but obviously with different players. I think a lot changed since when I was there,” Scotty admitted.

Celtic will win the title – they have more quality than the Rangers and Hearts

The Premiership title race has been the most interesting in years and as a result it’s attracting attention from outside of Scotland, with Hearts remaining top of the table but both Celtic and the Rangers both in with a chance of lifting the trophy come the end of the season. Scotty Sinclair gave his thoughts on how he reckons it will all pan out and it may not surprise you to learn that he envisages green and white ribbons round the trophy yet again.

“I think Celtic will win the league,” Scott Sinclair stated. “They are currently two points behind after a slow start, being 11 or 12 points behind at one point mid-season. I believe they have enough quality and will take it right down to the last two games. They just have a little bit more quality than the other teams.

“The title race is entertaining. When I was there last, we dominated for years and even won the league in March or April. The fact that the Old Firm played a few weeks ago and the race is so close makes it more exciting,” Scott added.

“I think it will go down to the last couple of games. One concern is Kasper Schmeichel’s injury. He’s a quality player with a lot of experience, and if he is out, they will need to find someone of a similar stature to replace him. It would be a big miss for them, but I think they’ll still have enough,” Scott Sinclair said.

Scott McTominay can be Scotland’s Gareth Bale at the World Cup

Looking ahead to the eagerly awaited first appearance at the World Cup Finals for Scotland this century, Scott Sinclair has pinpointed the Scottish player who could make an impact similar to Gareth Bale’s for Wales this summer.

“I think for Scotland getting out of that group stage would be massive. Most Scots will think the same thing. I’m really looking forward and excited to see how well they do out there.

“Can Scott McTominay do what Gareth Bale did for Wales? You can see the quality he brings. He was player of the year in Italy. His confidence is high. I think he’ll be Scotland’s star. So he just needs to go there and perform, and I’m sure he will do that,” Scott Sinclair said.

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order