Celtic boss Neil Lennon has decided to leave Scott Sinclair on the sidelines for the vast majority of the new season as he hands chances to his other wingers.
Mohamed Elyounoussi, Mikey Johnston and Lewis Morgan have been picked ahead of the former Manchester City man so far this term, although Sinclair did score off the bench in the League Cup win over Partick Thistle.
A report has now claimed that the ex-Swansea hero still believes he can impress the Hoops boss, but he wants to be more supported.
A source told Football Insider: “Scott is a sensitive figure who needs to be loved by his manager.
“He’s a player who wants an arm around his shoulder now and again, and told how good he can be.
“Brendan Rodgers knew that and was brilliant at coaxing the best from him.
“Basically, he’s begging for Lennon to manage him properly, as he sees it.
“That’s just the way some players are. If he’s managed well and looked after, Scott can be an outstanding player.”
The report goes on to claim that the 30-year-old has been begging Lennon to help him get back to the top of his game, with him being on the sidelines doing no good.
Lennon said of his former star player during the week: “He [Sinclair] is still very much part of the squad.
“We have seen a good reaction from Scott, he is not a sulker.
“His body language in training is improving all the time.
“He does what he does best, he came on and made a difference, scored a goal, looked strong.”
Sinclair was named the SFWA Footballer of the Year and the PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year back in 2016/17, after scoring 25 goals in all competitions.
Club hero Chris Sutton spoke about about the England youth international earlier this week, and suggested that him leaving may have been the best option.
Sutton told the Daily Record: “To be honest, it would probably have been best for both parties if he’d left in the summer.
“Let’s face it. He’s down to fourth choice at Celtic behind Mohamed Elyounoussi, Mikey Johnston and Lewis Morgan.
“It’s a heck of a fall for a player who was Scotland’s Player of the Year three seasons ago.
“For whatever reason he’s drifted.
“Players lose confidence, it happens to most at times, but the only way to recapture it is by playing your way back in training and in matches.”