SINCLAIR STILL LIVING THE DREAM OVER ENGLAND CALL

GIVEN his frightening speed, it seems somewhat incongruous to talk about the need for Scott Sinclair to walk before he can run. Nonetheless, so dissatisfying was the winger’s time immediately prior to joining Celtic that reasserting himself at club level was imperative before any hopes of international football could be properly entertained. Three months after joining from Aston Villa, the 27-year-old has ticked box No1 and then some. In scoring in his first six league matches he became the first Celt to do so since 1922. As for fulfilling the rest of his long-term plan, Sinclair hopes that playing well for Celtic can lead to him pulling on the England shirt. ‘I still have ambitions to play for my country,’ said Sinclair. ‘All I can do is concentrate on what I’m doing now, and keep on scoring. ‘I’ve never played for England before. There was a spell when I was at Swansea when I was going to be called up, but it wasn’t to be. ‘It’s been frustrating, but now I’m scoring goals and that’s all that I can concentrate on.’ Sinclair’s timing might be perfect — there is likely to be a changing of the guard at the FA in the shape of Gareth Southgate, and he has the chance to perform at the highest level in the Champions League. ‘Scoring a hat-trick against Barcelona might help my chances,’ he smiled. ‘The main thing is performing in the Champions League, that is the level you’ve got to be at realistically.’ Fraser Forster is proof that excelling in Europe can take you to the top. Four years ago the then-Celtic keeper’s heroics against Barcelona et al saw him called up by England for the first time. ‘It can be done,’ added Sinclair. ‘It’s about playing well in Europe and domestically. ‘I don’t know Gareth Southgate at all, but I hope that changes and that he’s there watching the game next week.’