HEEL DO
Sinclair’s stunner a winner at last for Celts
SCOTT SINCLAIR admitted he was angry and frustrated at becoming a bit-part Celtic player but he insisted he never lost faith in his ability.
The 29-year-old started to reverse his journey from hero to zero, coming off the bench with a brilliant backheeled winner to earn the champions a crucial three points yesterday.
It was Sinclair’s first Celtic Park goal in more than eight months in just his fourth league appearance of the season. He celebrated like a man who’d finally found the keys to the house again.
Downing a Dons side who were convinced they’d done enough to earn a point was enough to claw the Hoops up into fourth spot with a seventh clean sheet in the last eight games at the other end.
Sinclair said: “It was a big relief for me personally and obviously for the team. The pressure is building so it was great for us to get the three points and get back to winning ways.
“Criticism is always going to come. When you’re not winning every single game and not scoring in every single game you are going to get criticism, because the past couple of years that’s what I have been doing.
“The fans know what I can do. It is up to me now to carry that on, although obviously it is more difficult when you are in and out of the team.
“Obviously the manager knows that when I am not playing I am not happy.
“You saw my celebration. It meant a lot and I think when you haven’t scored here for what feels like forever, the emotion and the anger built up, not playing and being in and out.
“Being on the bench so much has been frustrating. I was Player of the Year first season and the second season I was the top goalscorer.
“It makes you angry. The thing is, I can only control what I do on the training ground. I’ll never give up, I will always keep fighting.”
Neither of these two sides is playing with the style that has made this the must-see, first v second battle it has been for the past few seasons.
Celtic were struggling to break lines, the Dons nullifying threats by getting red shirts swarming the ball.
Odsonne Edouard so nearly broke the deadlock, cutting inside off the left flank before smacking a stunner off the inside of the post from 25 yards.
The Frenchman was then at the centre of the game’s major controversy, Dons defender Scott Mckenna scissoring the striker with both feet well off the deck as they chased a ball (right).
Incredibly, ref Bobby Madden waved play on, even if it was outside the box. The lack of a penalty wasn’t the only blow with the £9million forced off.
The Dons should have rubbed salt in the wound as a brilliant five man break saw Gary Mackay-steven barrel through only to be denied by an incredible Craig Gordon stop.
Sinclair produced his moment of magic after the break and, with Dedryck Boyata outstanding, Celtic saw it out.
Afterwards Rodgers was fuming about the injury to Edouard but is hopeful he will make this week’s Europa League clash with Salzburg
“We will have to see, it was a dead leg. It was a very reckless challenge I have to add. When you see the challenge back - it’s a clear foul. Hopefully he should be okay for Thursday.”