Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has his eye set on signing Patrick Roberts.
Scott Sinclair’s continued omission from England squads may serve as a transfer blow to Celtic, as it only makes their job of convincing players to join from Premier League clubs even harder.
Sinclair’s goalscoring form in Scotland has rivalled any other winger selected in the Three Lions’ squad, but it has still not been enough to persuade Gareth Southgate to pick the rapid wide man.
And when asked why the Celtic man had not done enough to be included, Southgate said to BBC Sport: “I had a conversation with Brendan about him at the end of last season.
“He’s a good player but we have good quality in that area of the pitch and at the moment I think he is just below the level of what we have already got.”
The England boss’s comments may serve as a transfer blow for Celtic, as it shows that players’ international chances could well be hampered by a move north of the border.
While England have selected Harry Winks, who has started just four Premier League matches, Sinclair’s impressive form in the Scottish Premiership and European competition has still not been enough to win over Southgate.
And with Celtic looking to attract the likes of Patrick Roberts, that has to be seen as a blow.
Roberts has, of course, loved his time at Celtic – but if he sees a player in the form that Sinclair is not breaking into the England set-up, then he is likely to question whether the move to Parkhead would be best for his development.
And that may well be a question that many Premier League players ask, until a Celtic player does break into the England set-up.
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