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Scott Sinclair discusses his difficult time at Aston Villa, shares what Rodgers keeps telling him

Celtic's Scott Sinclair in action with Hapoel Be’er-Sheva's Ben Bitton (REUTERS)
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Scott Sinclair has heaped praise on Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

Barcelona's Gerard Pique in action with Celtic's Scott SinclairBarcelona’s Gerard Pique in action with Celtic’s Scott Sinclair

Celtic winger Scott Sinclair has told The Scotsman that manager Brendan Rodgers is ‘inspirational’ – and has noted that he’s much happier than he was at Aston Villa.

The Bhoys have endured a mixed couple of days; spirits were high after Celtic hammered Old Firm Rangers rivals 5-1 on Saturday afternoon, but were then obliterated 7-0 by Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Celtic's Scott Sinclair in action with Rangers' Wes FoderinghamCeltic’s Scott Sinclair in action with Rangers’ Wes Foderingham

Getting anything out of their trip to Catalunya was always going to be a tough ask, and manager Brendan Rodgers must now pick his players back up for this weekend’s game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

One player who will be called upon to help Celtic bounce back is Scott Sinclair, who has starred for the Bhoys since joining from Aston Villa last month.

The winger, 27, was seemingly surplus to requirements at Villa Park, and chose to move up to Scotland to reunite with his former Chelsea coach and Swansea manager Rodgers.

Celtic's Scott Sinclair scores their third goalCeltic’s Scott Sinclair scores their third goal against Rangers

With five goals in seven games – including Celtic’s third against Rangers on Saturday – Sinclair has made a huge impact at Celtic Park, and he’s now been discussing his move to Glasgow.

Speaking to The Scotsman, winger Sinclair admitted that his time at Aston Villa was ‘difficult’, and he’s now much happier under a manager who believes in him, having struggled to nail down a first-team place under both Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde at Villa Park.

Sinclair added that Rodgers is constantly telling him and the Celtic squad to avoid complacency, and claims the Northern Irishman is inspirational with his team talks.

Celtic's Scott Sinclair in action with Hapoel Be’er-Sheva's Ben BittonCeltic’s Scott Sinclair in action with Hapoel Be’er-Sheva’s Ben Bitton

“I had a difficult time at Manchester City and Villa but I’m happy to now be at a club with a manager who lets me play freely,” said Sinclair. “I’m happy and you can see that on the pitch. It’s been great for me. I’ve had a good start but I say after every match there is more work for me to do. I work hard towards each one, to try to score goals and create chances.”

“The manager tells us never to get complacent. When you are winning games, keep being dominant. Each week, never drop off. That’s what we’ve done in training. Every single team-talk the manager does is inspiring. The players really take to him magnificently and everyone takes what he says on board,” he added.

What have you thought of Sinclair’s performances for Celtic so far?