The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

Scott returns to where it all started

- By Brian Fowlie sport@sundaypost.com

SCOTT SINCLAIR is relishing a return to the scene of his whirlwind start to the season.

He arrived at Tynecastle last August, having only met his new Celtic team-mates over breakfast, and scored a dramatic winning goal.

Today, he can leave Edinburgh having secured the first championsh­ip medal of his career.

The much-travelled 28-year-old believes it’s no coincidenc­e that he’s never experience­d a happier dressing-room.

“We play every game like it’s our first,” he said. “We won’t take setbacks. Even in training, we keep ploughing forward.

“Coming to Celtic has been as good as the manager promised it would be. In fact, I would say more so.

“You have an idea of what you think it is going to be like, but it’s actually been better than that.

“My main priority was just to come here, play and enjoy it.

“Now we can win the league at Tynecastle where it all started for me.

“I remember those first couple of days being very rushed. I didn’t think I was going to be involved. I hadn’t trained with the lads and had no chance to get to know anyone.

“I was straight into it. I had the MRI scans and then went to the hotel. Before I knew it, I was on the bench.

“I was just excited about coming up. I hadn’t been here before and was just looking forward to every minute.

“My first contact with the players was in the morning. We had a walk and then breakfast.”

That sort of rushed introducti­on can sometimes backfire on a team, but Sinclair came on to score the winner in the 81st minute.

He has gone on to score 18 times this term, and getting a Premiershi­p gong will be very significan­t for him.

“I always talk about the battles I’ve needed to go through, so it’s great to get your rewards at the end of it all, said Sinclair.

“I was involved in getting relegated at Aston Villa, going to Manchester City and not playing for two years.

“I’m quite proud of myself that I keep battling and wanting to do well and be the best I can be.

“It just goes to show that the hard work actually pays off.”

 ??  ?? Scott Sinclair.
Scott Sinclair.

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