Trevor Sinclair can’t imagine a bigger thrill in football than playing winger for an Ange Postecoglou team in a raucous Parkhead atmosphere.
The Celtic -daft pundit has long lamented never featuring for the Hoops in his top-level career.
The ex-Manchester City and West Ham flyer makes no secret of his allegiance on social media and talkSPORT.
And he admits feeling closer than ever to his Scottish football love this season.
That’s because of the style of play, his passion for Postecoglou’s wide men and attending his first Old Firm game as Celtic ran riot four weeks ago.
He’s a huge fan of attacking stars Jota, Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi.
Sinclair said: “Listen, I’d love to be a winger in the modern era, full stop.
“You’re not expected to go six-yard box to six-yard box like my day. You’re working three-fifths of the pitch now.
“But, yes, I’d especially love to play in Ange’s Celtic team.
“The way they link the back to the front, the intensity and the quality.
“They have technical players. Look at Jota – what a player, he’s unbelievable. I hope a permanent deal happens.
“It’s a privilege watching him for Celtic. He already has, quite comfortably, the game for the English Premier League, although we don’t want him to go.
“His spatial awareness, quickness of foot, speed, technical ability and finishing is top drawer. He looks an elite player.
“Kyogo was one of the first brought in. Ange wanted that one over the line because he’s that special.
“He’s brave, tenacious, can play centre-forward or wing. He doesn’t mind getting kicked, doesn’t mind failing, doesn’t hide – that’s a player with bottle.
“He has great quality. He’s a finisher, got an eye for goal. And he’s humble.
“He perfectly fits the club’s philosophy, epitomised by that night he picked up rubbish when he was substituted!
“From his success, Ange’s confidence grew that players earmarked to come across from that league could do a job. The new Japanese boys at Celtic are doing that already.”
Abada is another instant hit, the 20-year-old netting 14 times since his £3.5million move.
Sinclair says the Israeli kid boasts unflustered qualities like former West Ham team-mate and ex-Celt Eyal Berkovic.
“I used to love playing with Eyal,” said Sinclair. “I don’t know if it’s the upbringing in Israeli football but they’ve got a little bubble around them.
“Never get caught in possession, a yard ahead of everyone else and so calm and clinical.
“Abada has that X-factor – so much confidence but not a show-off. He’ll use team-mates because he’s a team player. Very impressive.”
Sinclair has enjoyed the Aussie’s entertainers storming to a cinch Premiership title race comeback.
Never more so than when making his long-awaited derby night ‘debut’.
Sinclair’s late mum was from Sligo and his Celtic-supporting stepdad also hails from Govan.
But he hadn’t been to an Old Firm clash before Joe Hart sorted tickets for him and former Blackpool defender Neil Matthews.
Sinclair was blown away as new gem Reo Hatate’s double led a 3-0 first-half blitz of Rangers.
He insists the only atmosphere from his playing career that could touch the frenzy was England’s 1-0 defeat of Argentina at the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan.
Sinclair, capped 12 times, said: “I’d played at Parkhead in a West Ham friendly but it was next to empty and I couldn’t appreciate how majestic it is when full.
“Against Rangers, it was rocking and made me wish I’d done more to force a move to Celtic at some stage.
“The atmosphere is just insane. The bigger the occasion, I always seemed to raise my game.
“At the World Cup against Argentina there were 40,000 England fans, 6000 miles from home.
“Every flag from every town you could imagine. It was one of the most memorable games I played in but the atmosphere was very similar to what I saw against Rangers.”
Celts have kept on winning league games, thrashing Motherwell 4-0 and edging 3-2 thrillers against Aberdeen and Dundee. Late goals against Ross County and Dundee United were another sign of champions for Sinclair.
“I see great spirit there and that’s a reflection of the gaffer,” he added.
“Joe Hart tells me how much of a winner he is. He keeps onside with players and is honest.
“The players can see that, if someone does a job well, they get a chance.
“Matt O’Riley has done that since joining. If you’ve got a camp like that, where everyone feels there’s a pathway for doing well, that’s good.
“That’s when you get honesty, intensity and 95 minutes out of players.
“I see lads from last season’s nightmare wanting to put that right. It’s been a fantastic couple of months overtaking Rangers in the table.
“It’s now about staying mentally strong, keeping your eye on the prize.
“And doing jobs against lesser teams, making sure the intensity is still the same, NEVER dropping off.”
Sinclair looks forward to more high-risk excitement from Postecoglou’s tactics down the home straight. He reckons the Australian has been inspired both on and away from the touchline.
Sinclair said: “When I heard about Ange, I was intrigued because I’m not someone who thinks managers must be ex-players or from the area.
“I respect people from all over the world when they believe in a style of football.
“We’ve always loved playing good football at Celtic, link the back to the front, through the midfield and play an attractive style that I appreciate.
“Ange certainly has that. Just because he was on the other side of the world doesn’t mean he didn’t know Scottish football. I feel he might’ve been earmarked for the job or informally aware about potentially taking over.
“I think Ange studied the league, did due diligence, made sure he knew what players he’d keep and what positions needed strengthening.
“He’d been doing work months before arriving. He knew what was expected and all about last season’s disappointment.
“I’m pleased with players he’s brought. Their impact has been sensational.
“Ange seems to have a lot of integrity. He stands up for himself, doesn’t shirk the media, he’s not flash. He’s clever but not in an arrogant way. He fits the club.
“In fact, he endears me to the club even more. I love the club and enjoy watching what his Celtic are producing.”
