The Preston North End 2020/21 top scorer Scott Sinclair is the main feature in Saturday’s matchday programme against West Yorkshire visitors Huddersfield Town.
The North End No.31 spoke to The One And Only and said that he feels settled at PNE and it’s showing on the pitch.
The winger has now been at Deepdale for over a year – and admits time has flown by – and is enjoying a strong season with eight goals so far as the programme went to press.
When he first signed in January 2020 from Celtic, after helping them win the historic treble-treble, he and his family were living in a hotel, which he admitted was tricky.
But now he and wife, actress Helen Flanagan, along with two daughters Matilda and Delilah, have moved into a house in Bolton – and his third child is due in a couple of weeks.
“When I first came, we were in the hotel, which is always hard as you never feel properly settled,” said the 31-year-old.
“Then lockdown happened and I went back to my home town of Bath and spent some time with the family, which was quite nice really, although not the circumstances.
“Since lockdown we have settled in Bolton, I brought all my stuff down from Scotland, and it’s been great. The house is close to Helen’s parents and they give us a lot of help and we are really happy there.
“Our third – and final! - child is due shortly. It has gone really quickly, and we don’t know whether it’s a boy or a girl, it’s just as long as the baby is healthy. I am already outnumbered by girls no matter what!”
He admitted when he first came to Deepdale it did take him time to adapt, although he has had a career where he has moved all over the UK, so he is glad to put down some roots.
“I was welcomed when I came and then I think you have to get to know the group of players and get to know the way they play and what the manager wants and it does take a bit of time.
“They have been top lads since the moment I came here though and, while this season and last season has been stop-start, I have been here a while and understand what is asked of me and the way we play.
“Last season was obviously disappointing the way it ended, just missing out on the Play-Offs, and this season has been okay so far, but I think most teams are struggling in some way with the amount of games and 2020 did feel like one continuous year of playing football, even though we had the Covid break.
“I am reasonably happy with eight goals, but there is always room for improvement, I want to get into double figures now. The type of player I am, I want to create goals and score more and help PNE move up the table.
“I am 31, but I do look after myself, I train well, I eat well and, as an older pro, it is important I do keep myself fit and healthy.”
There’s loads more from Scott, plus interviews and features with Tom Barkhuizen, Emil Riis, Ryan Ledson, Sepp van den Berg, Alan Browne and Declan Rudd in another packed 84 pages of content, available now for £3.50.
You can click here now to place your order for the matchday programme and have it delivered to your door and also order any editions you have missed in the season so far.
You can watch Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Town live on iFollow PNE, with Jonathan Breeze joined by former North End striker Brett Ormerod from 2.30pm bringing all the action – click here now to book your match pass.