Celtic’s Scott Sinclair says he still hopes to win an England call-up
Tuesday 15 November 2016 17:18, UK
Scott Sinclair says he still holds ambitions of being selected for England and hopes playing in the Champions League with Celtic can help his cause.
The 27-year-old, who has represented his country at U21 level but has never appeared for the senior squad, moved to Parkhead in the summer following frustrating spells with Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Celtic were drawn against Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League this year and sit bottom of their group with two points after four games but Sinclair hopes playing against Europe's elite can help to boost his international prospects.
"When my time is right it'll come but at the moment I'm concentrating on just playing week by week and every game that is coming in front of me - that is what I'm enjoying," he said.
"So, at this moment in time, if I can get into England then that would great - my ambitions are still to play for my country."
Sinclair admitted the lure of potentially playing Champions League football and giving himself another platform to showcase his international credentials was a factor in his decision to move to Glasgow and does not see why he cannot be selected while playing in Scotland's top flight.
"If you can keep doing well in the Champions League and, on a personal note, in playing games then I don't see why [I can't] break in. It's great that I'm playing every week and scoring goals and getting back into form.
"I'm just enjoying my football again and that was the main reason for me coming here and I haven't looked back since. I wouldn't say there is any barrier, it is just about how you do. If you are playing Champions League and you are doing it at that level then I don't see why not."
Sinclair says he is not sure what it would take to earn a call-up to the national side but believes all he can do is continue to perform well at club level in the hope of making interim England boss Gareth Southgate - or whoever takes over the job full-time - sit up and take notice.
He said: "At the moment I wouldn't know, you'd have to ask [Southgate] or whoever was bringing players into the squad. All I can do is concentrate on myself and keep doing as well as I can."
Celtic are the bookmakers favourites to land Steven Gerrard after it was confirmed that the midfielder will leave LA Galaxy and, speaking before that news was revealed, Sinclair said the former Liverpool captain would be an excellent signing for the club.
"It would be a massive thing if he did come here, that would be unbelievable. I think the fans would take to him and it would be a massive deal in football," he said.
"He's a world class player so I'm sure a lot of players here would learn from him. Once we are in that Champions League and playing the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City and all these big clubs, it attracts more players."
