Scott Sinclair says he has never looked forward to a pre-season friendly as much as he is for PNE’s clash against his former side Celtic.
Scott and his team-mates will play at Celtic Park on Saturday 17th July as part of a training camp in Scotland, in which they will also face St Johnstone on Tuesday of the same week.
Having moved to Deepdale from the Scottish Premiership club in 2020, the fixture means a little more to Scott than just an opportunity to get up to match speed.
Speaking to PNE.Com, he said: “When it was announced I was obviously really excited to go back. I have some great memories of being at Celtic so it’s always nice to go back to former clubs and play against them.
“It’s one of my best times, one of the happiest times of my career so far, just because we were winning every game and winning trophies, league titles and the Scottish Cup. When we went the first season unbeaten, we made history.
“I haven’t been back so I’m looking forward to it. I have never looked forward to a pre-season game against a team so much, so it’ll be nice to go back up there and soak in the atmosphere. Hopefully the fans will be back in and just enjoy it because I didn’t really get a send-off from the fans when I left in January [2020].”
While at Celtic, Scott was a part of the famous treble treble winning side, taking all three of Scotland’s domestic trophies for three seasons in a row.
PNE’s No.31 played a major part in that period, scoring 60 goals in all competitions across the three campaigns, and in his first season at the club he won multiple awards including the division’s Player of the Year award, as well as the club’s Player of the Year accolades voted for by both players and supporters.
At this stage, it is unclear whether or not supporters can attend the friendly between North End and Celtic, but given Scott’s success during his time with the Bhoys, if fans of either side are allowed to be inside Celtic Park, his name will surely be ringing around the stadium.
“I have unbelievable memories there,” Scott added. “I hope that all the fans will be allowed back in at the time when pre-season happens.
“With the treble treble and myself getting Player of the Year, and given what we did as a team, it was a great three and a half years.
“I feel like I left on a good note with the fans and I’m sure they’d give me a good reception if they’re watching and they’re in, so it’ll be a great day. For a pre-season friendly, you couldn’t ask for a better club to play against.
“They’re a great side. Obviously they didn’t get the title this season, but the main thing for them is to rebuild and I’m sure they’ll have a better season next year.”