Sinclair: I never lost faith I’d regain form and silence critics

(LOAN) (LOAN) Scott Sinclair was fully aware of the critics and doubters who questioned whether his time was up at Celtic.

Every time he stepped off the bench at Parkhead, he could feel the weight of expectation on him, having previously been the best player in Scotland.

The Hoops winger admits the start of this season was a tough time for him.

A change in system for Brendan Rodgers and a loss of form could have derailed his Hoops career.

But Sinclair insists he NEVER lost his belief. And the cynics and snipers only made him more determined to fight his way back

Now, the 29-year- old is scoring goals again for Rodgers’ men.

He knows he has st i l l to reproduce the displays that made him Scotland’s Player of the Year in 2017.

But he’s convinced he’s about to hit top gear again – just as he always felt he would.

Sinclair said: “It was frustrating not to be playing. The manager sometimes went with a di f ferent shape, with a midfielder in my position.

“So I had to wait and be patient for a chance to get back in the team.

“I didn’t feel like I had lost any of my confidence. I’ve always believed in myself.

“I know what I can do. I’ve shown that in my time at Celtic.

“And hopefully now I can kick on and show that again.

“Being out of the side was difficult but I want to pick up consistency now because when you’re in and out, it’s hard to do that.

“When you’re playing every week and you’re scor ing goa l s , everything’s flowing. I have to get back to that.

“It’s very difficult when you come on as a sub and the crowd expect you to change the game.

“That’s tough for any player. When you start a game, you can build yourself into it.

“After being Player of the Year in my f i rst season, I feel the expectation from the supporters to do something special.

“But that’s part of getting all the accolades. I get that and I’m happy with it.

“Maybe opposition teams were trying to man-mark or double-team me in certain games.

“They tried to stop me dribbling and scoring goals. But it was up to me to come up with different ways and find solutions.

“I like when people doubt me, that drives me on. As a footballer you’re always going to get that.

“But the quality I showed a couple of seasons ago was proof of what I can do.

“It’s just about getting back up to that same level again. Everyone knows I can do it.

“When I go out there, I still believe in myself 100 per cent. I knew the goals would come and I would be back on top form again.” Another Celtic player beginning to motor is £ 9m i l l ion str i ker Odsonne Edouard, who hit a double against Hearts in the 5- 0 win yesterday.

And as Rodgers’ side prepared for Thursday night’s crucial Europa League tie against RB Leipzig in Glasgow – Sinclair believes the young Frenchman is ready to excel on that stage.

He said: “There’s a lot resting on Odsonne’s shoulders but he has been fantastic since he came here.

“He has played really well for someone so young. He’s getting more experience.

“Odsonne’s quite a quiet guy and he’s still learning English. He can only speak the basics right now.

“But he’s a funny character and a good guy to have around the squad. To be playing for Celtic every week at his age will be great for his progression.

“And he’s the man for big occasions like against Leipzig. As a striker, when you score it gives you confidence to get more.

“So hopefully Odsonne can keep on doing it.”