Scott Sinclair’s sensational debut for Celtic at Tynecastle | OneFootball

On this day nine years ago Celtic started our league campaign under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers, and it was fair to say that we were full of hope and optimism heading through to Edinburgh to face Hearts in a tricky opening day fixture.

Scotty Sinclair scores on his Celtic debut at Tynecaslte on 7 August 2016. Hearts 1 Celtic 2. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Traditionally Tynecastle has always been a difficult venue for Celtic, and that day would prove no different as we snatched a 2-1 victory in the tightest of games to register a win in the first game under the Irishman.

James Forrest scores for Celtic at Tynecaslte on 7 August 2016. Hearts 1 Celtic 2. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

James Forrest was the man who scored the first league goal in the Brendan Rodgers era before we were pegged back after a rather dubious penalty award to say the least (a disgraceful dive in the pre-VAR era). It was an opportunity the Jambos didn’t pass up as they hauled themselves level thanks to clear and obvious dive that was spotted by everyone except the match officials. In those days we called in an Honest Mistake.

Brendan Rodgers at Tynecaslte on 7 August 2016. Hearts 1 Celtic 2. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

With the game heading for what looked like a stalemate, Brendan turned to the bench and his newly acquired marquee signing Scotty Sinclair who had signed just hours before the trip to Edinburgh.

The former Chelsea, Man City, and Aston Villa man replaced Stuart Armstrong just after the hour mark and with just ten minutes remaining he stabbed the ball home from close range to make himself an instant hero. Some would say he was wonderful, maybe even magical.

Scotty ran behind the goals at Tynecastle to celebrate with the Celtic support and ended up cuddling Lubo98 of this parish who was in the front row that day!

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Hearts steal an equaliser after a blatant dive against Celtic at Tynecaslte on 7 August 2016. Hearts 1 Celtic 2. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

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CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, pre-order now

Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle now FREE and with FREE postage when ordering with David Potter’s last book Celtic in the Eighties

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered and don’t worry, your copy will be signed by the legendary Celtic and Scotland star who captained Celtic for the early years of the 1980s.

And from today we’ve reduced the price of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – which you’ll receive for FREE when you order with Celtic in the Eighties. So  you get two great Celtic books by David Potter and better still the postage is only charged on one. Offer available for a short period only as we have a very limited number of copies of David’s wonderful book on Alec McNair left.

So why have one brilliant David Potter book when you can enjoy two?

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.