Scott Sinclair targets Champions League goals for England call-up

Posted Thursday, October 12, 2017 by squawka.com

Celtic winger Scott Sinclair has revealed that he is aiming to score regularly in the Champions League as he looks to force his way into the England squad for next summer's World Cup.

Sinclair has been in excellent form for Celtic in the early stages of the season – he has scored ten goals and provided six assists in 16 games across all competitions.

However, the 28-year-old feels that his exploits in the Scottish Premiership are irrelevant with regards to his England chances as only his achievements in the Champions League will catch the eye of Gareth Southgate.

Asked whether he still looks to see whether he has been named in the England squad, Sinclair told the Daily Record: "Yes, although I would have known before had I been selected.

"I haven't given up yet. It comes down to this stage – all I can do is as well as I can in the Champions League for Celtic. I would say it's the only platform to impress.

"I'm the fittest I have ever been and that's down to playing every week. I'm hungry to score. Even though we're winning I'm trying to get into positions to create or score. That's in me – even if it's the 90th minute, like Anderlecht.

"I have to be hungry to do as well for the team as possible. Paddy Roberts and Leigh Griffiths are scoring. My job as a wideman is to create and score and that doesn't change in an occasion such as the Champions League. There are not many other goalscoring left-midfield players. I want to keep progressing and do as well as I can."

Sinclair was prolific in the Champions League qualifiers as he found the net five times in six games, while he scored against Anderlecht in the group stages of the competition proper.

Although he represented England at various youth levels including the U21s and also featured for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games, Sinclair has yet to receive a senior call-up for the Three Lions.