The Bhoys and City have been drawn in a tough Champions League group that also includes Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Celtic’s Scott Sinclair in action with Hapoel Be’er-Sheva’s Ben Bitton
Former Manchester City player Scott Sinclair has been talking to the Celtic website about the Champions League draw which placed the Bhoys in the same group as the Premier League giants, as well as Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach.
“It’s going to be difficult but it’s great for the fans,” he told celticfc.net. “Obviously we have had Barcelona nearly every time we have been in the Champions League so that will be great and going back to City on a personal level will be fantastic for myself.
“I don’t really have a point to prove but being in the Champions League and being involved is much better on a personal level than when I was at City. I wasn’t really involved for some weeks but I feel at home here and properly involved and I can’t wait to get started.
“It will just be nice to go back and see some old faces and friends. It will just be great to back in there.”
Manchester City’s Fernando in action with Aston Villa’s Scott Sinclair
Sinclair is one of a number of players who have connections to the Manchester club, having spent a difficult three seasons there earlier in his career.
The winger found regular football hard to come by at City after arriving from Swansea City in 2012, making just 19 appearances across three seasons, and just once in the Champions League, and failing to find the net.
The 27-year-old had really impressed with the Swans, managed by current Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers of course, both in the Championship and the Premier League, but it didn’t work out at the Etihad and Sinclair ended up moving to Aston Villa in a permanent switch following a loan spell.
Though that was another switch which ended in disappointment, the former England Under-21 man has already settled into life at Celtic Park, and has scored three times already.
Manchester City’s Kolo Toure (L) and Yaya Toure during training at Manchester City
Kolo Toure will join Sinclair in taking on his former club, and perhaps his brother Yaya, while Patrick Roberts, on-loan from the Citizens, will be eager to see if he can feature in the two matches.
Dedryck Boyata will also surely be looking forward to facing a club where he spent nine years of his footballing life, coming through the academy and going on to make 33 senior appearances.
Dedryck Boyata celebrates after scoring for Celtic
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