Scott Sinclair!

No bother..

 

Put in a shift and done a job for the team. Put away a high pressure pen. Good enough for me.

 

HAMPDEN hero Scott Sinclair believes Celtic’s dominant display in today’s Glasgow derby victory over Rangers was one of their best performances of a stellar season.

From the first whistle, Celtic always looked in complete control against their city rivals and goals in either half from Callum McGregor and Sinclair secured their passage to the Scottish Cup final on May 27 where they will face Aberdeen.

Having already secured a sixth consecutive title and the League Cup, the prospect of a treble remains alive for the Bhoys, who have also now gone 41 domestic matches without defeat since the start of the season.

Speaking exclusively to the official Celtic website after the game, a delighted Sinclair said: “It was one of the best team performances we have had all season. We controlled the game from start to finish. It was a terrific display.

“The last time we played against them, we didn’t play as well as we can, so we went out there determined to get the job done and raise our game, and that’s exactly what we did.

“We controlled the game in the first half and, although we didn’t create as many chances as we did in the second half, we were 1-0 up going in at half-time and we were very comfortable.”

Having opened the scoring through McGregor’s cool finish, Sinclair sealed the semi-final success from the penalty spot early in the second half, following a foul on Leigh Griffiths. It was the 28-year-old’s third Glasgow derby goal this season, highlighting how much he revels on the big occasion.

And the winger insisted he was always confident of converting from 12 yards, despite the pressure on his shoulders.

“I’m never nervous,” he said. “When I put the ball down, I knew where it was going. I wanted to redeem myself for missing a penalty in the league a few weeks ago. When I step up, I am confident and I put it away. It felt great when it hit the net. In a high-pressure game like this, it’s always nice to step up and score.

“I always say I like the pressure games. It’s always nice to get that feeling as it means more to the fans and it was great to step up for the penalty with everything riding on it.”

Celtic will face Aberdeen in the showpiece final at Hampden on May 27, following the Dons’ 3-2 victory over Hibernian in Saturday’s semi-final. Sinclair’s immediate focus, however, is on the remaining five league matches in the campaign as the Hoops look to maintain their remarkable unbeaten run.

“We have five games before that so we have to take it step by step," he added. "We will take every game as it comes in the league and we will make sure we are ready when the final comes around."

 

Thought it was one of SS quieter games this season. But agree with his comments about the team performance. Utterly dominant.

He's conducted and performed superbly for the majority of this season, and after irregular football for 2-3 years it's inevitable he'd tire at some point.

Maybe a game rested will see him return to the devastating form we all enjoyed at various points this season.

 

Aye he definitely looked the only one not quite in the zone today. Still put in a decent shift but his attacking play wasn't quite there a, few flashes aside.

But as usual with him he ends up on the score sheet anyway

Would love to see the early season form from him again though, he was unstoppable, same goes for a lot of the team.

 

Thought he was poor today to be honest. Scored the pen but didn't do much else, the blue Cafu matched him for pace and strength which was surprising. Look tired at times to me.

Our threat came down the right with Roberts who was brilliant. Then again they do double mark sinclair which opens up space at the other side.

 

Again, I don't think anybody deserves to be labelled poor today, just not up to his best.

He needs to get Tavernier turned and square him up, that's when the guy can't defend, he is quick and he is quite strong. Make him tackle you.

See Stokes on him in last years final, that's what he needs to be doing to him.

 

KT and Sinclair should be dominating that left flank more than they do against that mob..

You juts knew his pen was going to that side too, lucky that it crept in tbh!

 

Scott Sinclair 2016/17:


44 appearances, 24 goals, 10 assists.

3,635 minutes played.

 

A goal or assist every 107 minutes then.

 

Definitely one of his quieter/poorer games today, but he never hides and stepped up under pressure to tuck the penalty away. Personally I'd give him a rest for the St Johnstone and Partick games, he's played a lot of football this season.

 

Had a quiet game,was more to do with their tactics than anything else imo

 

It's great to see the guy happy. He loves it at the 'tic.

 

I do think he can be quiet for long periods of games, he has the ability to be more influential. Would love to see him more involved in the intricate passing just outside the box that Paddy and McGregor excel at, he's obviously skilled enough for that.

He's always liable to burst into life at any moment though, so can't fault him.