25 year old Grahame Sinclair signed for Celtic from Dumbarton in August 1982 for a fee of £65,000…
He was seen as something of a rising star due to his reputation as the best man marker in the second tier of Scottish football, due to his impressive displays with the Sons.
Sinky versus the legendary Johan Cruyff and there was only one winner
Graeme, a full back by trade was signed by Billy McNeill and was immediately handed the chance to prove his worth when he was pitched in against European giants Ajax in a European Cup clash in Amsterdam, playing a crucial part in the sides 2-1 win which clinched a 4-3 aggregate win against the talented Dutch side.
Sinclair (or Sinky) as was known to his teammates was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw at Celtic Park, although the Hoops were lucky to earn a draw as the Dutch side which contained the legendary Johan Cruyff where unfortunate not to win on the night in a game they dominated.
To combat the threat of an ageing but still hugely talented Cruyff, Billy McNeill earmarked Sinky in a man marking role on the Dutch legend to stop the dangerous threat he posed in the return match in Amsterdam.
It worked a treat as the full back stuck to the take to thwart the threat of Cruyff, and although the Dutch legend accidentally broke Sinky’s nose, but it didn’t dampen the former Dumbarton man’s night, and moment in the spotlight.
The hoops prevailed on the night to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Charlie Nicholas, and a late George McCluskey goal which sealed our passage into the next round, and although they grabbed the glory, Graeme Sinclair deserves just as much credit for his splendid job in snuffing out the Dutch giants most creative player.
Incidentally Celtic was one of four Scottish teams participating in second round European matches that night, the others being Aberdeen, Dundee United and Rangers. All four won their matches to progress. How things have changed.
It was remarkable rise for a player who just six weeks earlier was playing against Stenhousemuir in the Stirlingshire cup final, and now Graeme Sinclair was playing and starring in the football’s biggest club competition and snuffing out the threat of one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Silverware in the rain
A few months later he would win his first honour with the club as he played in the 2-1 League Cup final win over the now defunct Rangers in the pouring rain at Hampden. In those day, younger readers, the traditional Celtic End at the National stadium didn’t have a roof so we all got absolutely soaked. Things though were certainly going well for Graeme Sinclair at this stage.
Davie Hay replacing Caesar did Sinclair no favours
Unfortunately due to a culmination of poor form, and Injury, Graeme Sinclair lost his way at Celtic, with the appointment of Davie Hay not helping his cause.
Sinky would spend a loan spell at Manchester City under old boss Billy McNeill, and a further loan spell at former club Dumbarton, before cutting his ties with club permanently in 1985 when he joined St Mirren, the team he happened to score against to register his only goal in Celtic colours.
Sadly for Graeme, he would have to retire from the game through injury at the age of just 27 not long after joining the Buddies.
Graeme Sinclair was an early eighties Celtic cult-hero
He wasn’t the most talented Celtic player in that era, but Graeme Sinclair’s grit and determination saw him appear 65 times in those famous green and white hoops and he was always a popular ‘cult-hero’ with the majority of the Celtic support who appreciated his commitment. Others were often too quick to jump on his back.
He’ll always be remembered for that night in Amsterdam when he helped Celtic knock Ajax out of the European Cup. Watch this…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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