Passion Accessory

Scott Sinclair was right at the heart of the European fervour of Paradise and loves how the Celtic support played their part in a stylish win.

- Martin Dalziel

SCOTT Sinclair’s only past experience of European club football before joining Celtic was vastly different to what he encountered last week at Paradise.

Prior to Celtic’s 5-2 win over Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie, Sinclair had only experienced the elite levels of European football once, and it wasn’t exactly a night to remember.

The year was 2012 and the winger was at Manchester City in his first season after securing a lucrative four-year-deal with the English side from Brendan Rodgers’ former club, Swansea. The then City boss, Roberto Mancini, had restricted Sinclair to only a handful of starts and some substitute appearances, but the playmaker was finally given an opportunity to shine in his side’s final group stage game against Borussia Dortmund on December 4.

That Dortmund’s safe passage to the knockout stages was already secured meant little to Sinclair, who saw the game as a chance to test himself against one of the best teams in Europe and help clinch continental competition for his club after Christmas, with third place and Europa League football still up for grabs.

City had yet to register a win in the competition that season ahead of the game but with news of fellow group members Ajax trailing Real Madrid early on filtering through to the players, the onus was on the Blues to chase the victory against Jurgen Klopp’s side at the Westfalenstadion.

There was little created by Mancini’s side in the first-half, however, and Sinclair was eventually withdrawn from action just short of the hour mark with the now prolific Sergio Aguero coming on as his replacement.