I’LL SHOW MANCINI
Scott out to show he’s far better player than the one Mancini signed for £8m at Man City
SCOTT SINCLAIR was never able to truly convince Roberto Mancini of his abilities at Manchester City.
But now the Celtic winger wants to show his old boss he’s a far improved player than the one he signed for £8million six years ago.
Sinclair is adamant he doesn’t have a point to prove to Mancini in tonight’s Europa League tie against Zenit St Petersburg.
However, having been unable to convince the 53-year-old to give him opportunities during their spell together at the Etihad, there’s little question the Parkhead ace will have the bit firmly between his teeth.
Sinclair has no axe to grind. He revealed the manager was nothing but fair with him in his explanations when the pair sat down in his office at City.
Nonetheless, with a boss in Brendan Rodgers who truly does believe in his abilities, it’s an ideal time to shine.
Sinclair said: “I am a better player at Celtic than I was at City – I’m a very different player.
“When I went to City I was high in confidence because the club bought me but then I didn’t get anywhere close to the games I wanted.
“And that confidence did go down a little bit because I’d not been playing.
“I played only a few games under him but what I would say is he’s a good manager, a really tactical manager – and he will be looking to win this game.
“He knew absolutely everything about the opposition. He is incredibly organised as well. He’s a top manager.
“He did spend a lot of money on me but City spent a lot of money on everyone else as well. That’s the way it was.
“When I went to City there were so many top-quality players there who I was competing with.
“I would have liked to get more game time there but you could go and talk to him. When I wasn’t playing I could knock on his door and ask him why I wasn’t playing.
“He would tell me it was his fault, not mine and that I was doing all I could to play. But City had such a huge squad, so many players, the manager did have to leave out so many of us or put them on the bench.
“He had tough decisions to make. You had to respect him and get on with it.
“He wouldn’t give any specific reasons for me not playing. He simply said he had other players to choose from. He was very approachable when I did want to speak to him.
“I don’t have any regrets about any of my moves because they all teach you and help you become the player and man I am now.
“You have to go through tough times to come out the other end of them and I wouldn’t say I have a point to prove to him.
“It’s for myself. I have always set my own targets, try to maintain my own level, and do as well as I can for myself. I don’t feel as if I have anything to prove to anyone.”
While Sinclair may not have a point to prove there is a feeling this Celtic team want to make a statement.
Despite qualification from the Champions League group having come third ahead of Anderlecht in their section to set up this Euro showdown, there has been a gnawing sense of unfulfilment after the Belgians won the last game in Glasgow in December.
Although proud of the achievement of making the Europa last 32, Hoops manager Rodgers made serious points in the aftermath of that 1-0 loss about the improvements needed within the squad to compete better on the continental stage.
Sinclair says there was nothing startling about being scrutinised from within.
He said: “We take it on board. In every game we go into we want to perform and win. That
I don’t regret any moves because they all teach you SCOTT SINCLAIR
game was no different. That’s just the way we are as a team and the boss is the same.
“We want to go and show that as a team. We need to put on a great performance when we go out there.
“The main thing is to win the game but obviously to also put on a show for the fans.”
Tonight’s showdown offers that chance to put on an exhibition. Zenit boss Mancini has spent £80m on his current team and the size of the test facing Rodgers’s side is outlined by such a financial gulf.
Sinclair, though, insists price tags don’t matter when it comes to the crunch. He said: “As a
player you don’t really go into things thinking about how much players are worth or have cost.
“You go toe to toe with them, put in your shift and try to ensure you are the one who performs better on the day.
“We don’t go into it thinking about how players are worth. They will have had a nice rest. When we have a summer break you come back refreshed and sort of ease into it.
“But Zenit won’t be easing into it at Celtic Park and I’m sure some people will say they are favourites.
“We don’t look at who is favourites or not. We just need to go out there and put a performance in and make sure we get a result.
“Celtic Park is an unbelievable place when we have the fans behind us. The atmosphere is amazing. That can spur us on even more.
“Getting a run would mean a lot but we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves.
“We just need to take every game as it comes and make sure we put in a performance in the first leg.
“This is a great opportunity for us and it’s a great occasion. It’s now down to us to go out there, prove ourselves as a team and make sure we win this game tonight.”