Rodgers could land Celtic’s next Sinclair this month

From the signings of Daizen Maeda, Matt O’Riley and Rea Hatate in 2022, to Alistair Johnston in 2023 and Nicolas Kuhn in 2024, the January window has proved fruitful for the Scottish champions Celtic in recent years.

While most clubs may find the winter market difficult for business, the Hoops are taking the opportunity to strengthen their position in the second half of the campaign, with reinforcements that will be particularly important this time around if they are to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

According to Sky Sportsthat potential progress to the knockout stages could lead to an early reunion with former Parkhead hero Kieran Tierney, with the potential for the 27-year-old to sign on loan until the end of the season, before making a permanent return in the summer. on a free transfer.

Whether the Scotland star returns over the coming weeks or at the end of the campaign, it would be a real coup for Brendan Rodgers‘ side, with the feisty left-back having shone in his previous spell in Glasgow, after scoring 45 goals and assistsare 170 games of the first team, while he won many domestic honors.

Injuries have not been kind to the left-back since his departure from Celtic Park in 2019, but few would turn their noses up at a return home in 2025, and the Arsenal man is likely to be the perfect upgrade on that left flank.

There could actually be a whole ‘new look’ on the left in a sense if another deal is to cross the line, with the potential for Rodgers to land his next Scott Sinclair, to slot in ahead of Tierney.

Scott Sinclair’s Celtic record

All the talk of late has rightly focused on Celtic’s wing wizard, Kuhn, with the German sensation – boasting 27 goals and assists this season – after taking over the attacking mantle from Jota, he emerged as the new talisman in green and white.

Flashy wings have been a common theme for the Old Firm side throughout their illustrious history, and one of the more modern success stories has been that of Sinclair, following his arrival in 2016.

He was snapped up from Aston Villa after a difficult spell at Manchester City – where he is presented only 19 times – The Englishman immediately became a hit under Rodgers in that first season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions while Celtic went wild on high notes.

It was in that form that Sinclair – who previously played under Rodgers at Swansea City – claimed PFA Player of the Year Awardwhile the man behind him, Tierney, took home the young player of the year award.

Over the next two seasons, the experienced winger would continue to maintain that rampant record, piling up more and more 103 goals in only 167 games. Overall, in his two spells under Rodgers, the now-veteran scored more goals for the Northern Irishman than any other player, having scored 95 times in 238 appearances.

The current Bristol Rovers star certainly did that, and then some, after arriving in Glasgow, with the potential for a similar scenario to play out if Rodgers is looking to land another player from Villa this month.

Celtic are targeting the next Scott Sinclair

As revealed earlier this week, Celtic reportedly have filed an inquiry to sign rising star Louie Barry from Villa Park, with the 21-year-old earning admiring glances from a host of clubs amid his recent run of unbridled EFL form for Stockport County.

Once on Barcelona’s books, the dynamic striker – who can operate through the middle or on the left flank – has long been hailed as a star, although it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing since.

In a similar mold to Sinclair, who endured numerous loan spells from Premier League giants Chelsea in his youth, Barry is yet to get a proper opportunity at his parent club, having previously struggled to make an impact through various temporary moves.

He was on loan at Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons and Salford City scored only nine goalsalthough the last 18 months have been particularly eye-catching, with the youngster top-scoring for Stockport in League One and League Two, with 25 goals and seven assists in just 46 appearances.

Praised for its “unbelievable” quality Sky Sports pundit Michael DawsonBarry boasts that wonderful combination of relentless pace and striking end product, similar to what Sinclair managed to display at Parkhead.

While there would be the small matter of having to drop Maeda on that left flank, it would be an exciting combination indeed if the former England youth international were to join Tierney, with Barry’s desire to slot inside the set aided by the overlapping heroics of the Celtic academy graduate.

Of course, it’s no surprise that competition for Barry’s signature will be fierce, but if Rodgers can forge a new Tierney-Sinclair-style partnership on the left flank, then Celtic could be the winners.