Sinc or swim time for Scott’s England hopes

Scott Sinclair hopes a starring role for Celtic in this year’s Champions League will finally earn him an England call-up.

The Parkhead winger has so far been ignored by national team boss Gareth Southgate – despite his sparkling form for the Hoops.

But Sinclair is now gearing up for glamour games against French cracks PSG, German giants Bayern Munich and Anderlecht.

And the 28-year-old is praying that if he excels on that stage, Southgate will give him a chance. With the likes of Theo Walcott, Raheem Sterling and Alex OxladeChamberlain off form for England, Sinclair senses a chance to shine.

And after scoring a brace against Hamilton on Friday, Sinclair said: “Will playing well in the Champions League get me a chance with England? Well, that’s the question.

“All I can do is concentrate on what I’m doing and play as well as I can for Celtic.

“Other players have been picked for England and you do wonder what you have to do. That’s always the case.

“But all I can do is concentrate on myself and see where it takes me.

“But the Champions League is the stage where I’m most likely to be spotted. That is THE stage.

“So all I can do is play well in that competition and see what happens.”

Gaffer Brendan Rodgers believes Scottish football – or players performing north of the border – will never get the credit or recognition they deserve down south. He said: “It’s always been the case that the Scottish game is belittled.

“I know that from being in England for many years.

“When he was at Rangers Mark Hateley should have been playing for England but wasn’t.

“Guys like Alan Thompson at Celtic didn’t get the chance he should have – even though he was playing in the Champions League.

“So that situation has always been there and it doesn’t go away.”