Sinclair backs Brown and Kennedy and is looking for a proper farewell
Scott Brown must be central to any Celtic rebuild this summer, according to former Hoops winger, Scott Sinclair.
The 31-year-old is plying his trade with Preston now, but retains an affection for the Parkhead side and still keeps an eye on their results.
Like any other Celtic fan this term, he has been frustrated at the unravelling that has taken place as Rangers have cantered to the title.
But Sinclair insists that it is premature to expect the Ibrox side to now enjoy a period of sustained domestic dominance.
“Celtic will come back from this,” he said. “It has been difficult for them, and it has been disappointing with the way the league campaign played out. But they have not all turned into bad players overnight.
“There is a strong spine still in that team.
“When the confidence dips, it can be tough to find a way to get the momentum back.
“However, I think it is too early to look at one strong season from Rangers, and say that they will go on now and leave Celtic in the shade.
“It is a big summer ahead, with a new manager coming in and new players coming in.
“But for me it would be imperative to keep Scott Brown in there.
“He was great when I first went into the club, and he just has so much influence in the dressingroom. He has the respect of everyone, but he also knows what it takes to be a winner and to deliver success to the club.
“He would be the player that I think you need to hang on to because he can be the link between the dressing room and a new managerial team.”
Sinclair earned the affection of the Celtic support during the club’s Invincibles run in Brendan Rodgers’ inaugural season at the club, but his influence stretched longer than that.
He played more and scored more goals than any other Celtic player during the club’s treble Treble run, with 127 appearances and 52 goals claimed for that trio of seasons.
When he left Celtic for Preston last January, he seemed to slip out the door after falling down the pecking order at the club.
His only regret is that he didn’t get to say a proper goodbye to the support – something he hopes to put right one day.
“We loved the club and we loved the city,” he said. “The supporters were just incredible and took to me straight away.
“I would love to come back to Celtic Park for a game. It would be nice to properly get the chance to show my appreciation to them for what they gave me.
“They will always have a special place with me, and every chance I get I still watch their games.”
Sinclair has also backed John Kennedy, who has been heavily criticised at times this term by the Celtic support.
“He was well liked and very well respected as a coach by all the players,” said Sinclair.
“I don’t think you can automatically discount him from getting the job on a fulltime basis because he definitely has something to offer.”