The fingers are being pointed everywhere today in the aftermath of the bitterly disappointing defeat to Cluj and it’s hard to find perspective and take less of a scattergun approach to what went wrong.
Celtic fans have so many questions this morning about the board, Neil Lennon’s appointment, right down to Neil Lennon’s team selection. I just don’t know what to think about one grievance many players have about the treatment of one player in particular who didn’t even make the bench last night – Scott Sinclair.
The old saying goes, you become a better player when people haven’t seen you play in a while and there might be some of that at work here. If you’re old enough to remember Bobo Balde transforming into Beckenbauer when he wasn’t given a game by Gordon Strachan and Celtic during a pay dispute. When Celtic were shipping goals without the player, fans were screaming for the big man to be allowed back into the fold.
Last night, Scott Sinclair, one of our most experienced players wasn’t even allowed to take his place on the bench. That’s pretty perplexing if you think about it. Lewis Morgan, Mikey Johnston preferred and even Bayo making the bench when he’s not really kicked a ball for Celtic.
Whatever your thoughts on Scott Sinclair are, the fact he didn’t even make the matchday squad should be unsettling. He might be a frustrating player but he managed to find a way and his experience is invaluable.
Let’s not kid ourselves, Peter Lawwell wanted the midfielder off the books. He is a high earner and Neil Lennon doesn’t see him as a starter. However, with the deal falling through to take him back down south, Scott should have been straight back in the squad.
Was the manager or chief executive trying to send a message? It’s not the reason why Celtic lost last night but it’s a symptom of what’s going on right now. Neil Lennon can’t preach not playing Boli and Jullien because they haven’t bedded in properly then completely omit Sinclair ahead of Morgan or anyone else on the bench.
It will be interesting to see if the player makes it back into the squad after the dust has settled.
Here is some fan reaction to Sinclair’s omission.
https://twitter.com/queenmachine67/status/1161386963397763073?s=21
Who is chasing Scott Sinclair out the door, he’s way better an option than Morgan n young Johnstone 👍🏻🍀
— thegreenanwhite (@JimGreenan) August 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/johnross1991/status/1161542974813155329?s=21
The more I think of it the scarier it gets.The manager rates Johnson and Morgan higher than Scott Sinclair.Its almost as if he hasn't watched Celtic for the past 3 years.
— Fr Hiroshima Twinkie (@Redbhoy1888) August 13, 2019
