Sinclair swapped Aston Villa for Celtic last summer, a decade after former Bhoys man Petrov moved in the opposite direction.
Stiliyan Petrov in action for Aston Villa
Stiliyan Petrov has shared with the Scottish Herald what he told Scott Sinclair ahead of the winger’s move from Aston Villa to Celtic last summer.
Sinclair has excelled for the Bhoys this season, scoring 18 goals and making 10 in 37 appearances – a contrast to his 18-month spell at Villa Park, in which he scored nine goals in 45 appearances.
And Petrov, who moved in the opposite direction to Sinclair a decade earlier, has revealed it is he who the Celtic fans have to thank for the winger’s decision to head north of the border.
The Bulgarian was forced to retire from football in 2013 after being diagnosed with Leukaemia, but returned to training with the Villans last summer in a bid to earn a contract, having been given the all-clear.
And while Villa opted not to re-sign Petrov in the end, it seems his impact was still felt in the Midlands.
“This summer when I was still looking to come back I did a pre-season with Aston Villa and obviously I was with Scott a lot,” said Petrov.
“We were away together and in hotels at the time when it was obvious that he was going to be moving on from Villa. There were a few clubs interested in taking him but as soon as Celtic’s interest was known, he had a load of questions for me.
“I told him right away that he would fit in at Celtic. It was a long wait for him to get the move because it took a while but I think his mind was set on Celtic early on. I told him that any player who signs for Celtic takes the club to their heart. You never leave Celtic. There is always a part of you that stays with the club because it is such an amazing experience to play for them.
“I don’t know if he believed me at the time when I told him that – but he does now. We text one another regularly and I know how much he is loving his football and loving the city. He has had a new lease of life and I am delighted to see just how well he has done. I never doubted it for a second because I could see what a great player he was. He has pace, he has vision, he has goals and he has a great attitude.”
Celtic’s Scott Sinclair scores against Rangers
Of course, there could be another reason behind Sinclair’s decision to choose Celtic, having worked under Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers at both Chelsea and Swansea City.
The pair were promoted together with the latter club in 2011, with Sinclair enjoying his best-ever goalscoring campaign – 27 in 50 appearances.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
