Former Celtic ace Chris Sutton has suggested that Hoops regular Scott Sinclair could be on his way this summer as he predicts at least three other senior departures during the transfer window.
The winger has been a mainstay for the Bhoys this season, making 48 appearances across all competitions and scoring 17 goals as him and his teammates chase a third consecutive treble winning campaign.
With Dorus De Vries, Dedryck Boyata and potentially Olivier Ntcham on the chopping block in Sutton’s eyes, he believes there are going to be huge changes in terms of personnel in the summer and that Sinclair’s name could be among those out the exit door.
Writing in his column for the Daily Record, he said: “As I see it, this summer they will need a new goalkeeper, two new centre-backs, a right-back, a left-back, a winger and possibly even a striker. That’s just for starters and it’s also assuming no one leaves the club other than those we expect to.
“Dorus de Vries should have been gone long ago. Dedryck Boyata has shown absolutely no signs of agreeing a contract extension and it’s been pretty clear for a long while that he’s got his mind set on moving elsewhere at the end of the season.
“Olivier Ntcham is interesting. Celtic could get good money for him. If they take it it’ll be another body to replace but his fee of around £12million would provide cash to spend elsewhere. Scott Sinclair is struggling to have an influence and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him leaving in the summer.”
Opinion
Yes, Sinclair might not have hit the same explosive heights that he has done in recent years but his goal record is still pretty special for someone who plays exclusively as a winger. Celtic as a whole have not been as good as their last two seasons and so obviously the wide man is not going to flourish as much, but to suggest he should be sold is a bold, and perhaps over-the-top, claim from Sutton. Of the other trio, only Ntcham looks like he could have a chance of staying but if that £12million fee is tabled by a prospective suitor then they must surely snap up a deal. The Frenchman has not been a mainstay in the side thanks to injury, while the form of his teammates means he would face a battle to be starting even if he was fully fit. Obviously a lot depends on who is sitting in the dugout for next season but Sutton is not wrong in saying the club need a lot of new recruits. Finding them and funding a pursuit is a task easier said than done.