HAPPINESS does not always stem from the most obvious of sources. Scott Sinclair’s life has never been short of material matters – the millions in the bank, the high-profile football transfers, the celebrity soap star partner, the regular table at Nando’s– but it is his elder brother’s rise from adversity that brings Celtic’s new signing the greatest sense of pride and pleasure.
Martin Sinclair was born with cerebral palsy (CP). A misdiagnosed hip injury after falling awkwardly off a slide when he was 15 years old led to him spending the best part of the next four years in a wheelchair.
He underwent endless rounds of operations and medical treatments during a very exhausting and painful rehabilitation. At one point he was told he would likely never walk again. The news did not dampen either his spirit or his resolve.
Read more: Scott Sinclair: Brendan Rodgers can reignite my love for football at Celtic
Back on his feet, the eldest of the three Sinclair brothers – the youngest, Jake, now plays with Frome Town after a brief loan spell at Hibernian – was determined not to let the setback define him.
He discovered CP football and went on to represent Great Britain at the London Paralympics in 2012, with Scott having played for Team GB in the Olympics a few weeks previously.
His determination to keep playing football also saw him make several appearances for England’s CP team, something he likes to tease both his brothers about. “I lay my caps on the table I tell them I’m the England international,” Martin once joked.
Scott’s eyes light up as he tells his brother’s heart-warming story. Celtic’s latest recruit comes across as a grounded, personable individual, and one who may well become a significant figure as manager Brendan Rodgers tries to mould a squad capable of sustaining Champions League football.
Martin’s tribulations – and how he coped with them – have evidently played a large part in shaping the man Scott is today. It helped him gain a sense of perspective when he wasn’t being picked for Manchester City and when he was being relegated last year with Aston Villa, and also kept him grounded whenever he was in danger of getting carried away with his success. He has many things to be grateful for in his life and his family is obviously a very large part of that.
“Martin has got a massive personality and he wears his heart on his sleeve,” says the 27 year-old of his brother. “He is one of the best guys you’ll ever meet. He is always bantering and making jokes. He never stops smiling. He’s always winding me up, telling me he’s got more caps than I have. Hopefully, that will change in time! But it’s great to have a big brother who has been through such a lot to keep me grounded.
“He has cerebral palsy and he’s had a tough time. He broke his hip and got misdiagnosed when he was 15. So my mum was stretching him every day without realising his hip was broken. That was painful for him and he was in a wheelchair for two or three years. We had to move his bed downstairs.
“He has helped me through any difficult parts of my career because he has really been through such a tough time. It makes me realise how lucky I am and it keeps me grounded as both a player and as a human being. He has gone on to play in the Paralympics, which was massive achievement after he was told he wasn’t going to walk again.
“I’ve got good parents and a little brother as well. Most of all, though, my older brother helps me. Whenever I’m down, whether it’s because of not playing or whatever, he just rings me up and says “What’s wrong with you?” and “Why are you moaning”’. I couldn’t ask for a better brother. I’m sure he will come up here soon to see me play. Maybe Wednesday or when he can, depending on work. I’m sure you will hear him anyway!”
Scott will soon be joined on a permanent basis by his more immediate family, partner Helen Flanagan – the former Coronation Star actress – and their one year-old daughter Matilda. Theirs has been a relationship spent amid the flashing lights of the paparazzi but Sinclair has grown accustomed to the attention.
“You just get to the stage where you get used to it,” he added. “We are just normal people. We go to Nando’s and do normal things. As soon as I find a house, she [Flanagan] will move up with my little one. Hopefully we can settle in as soon as possible. She is obviously just enjoying being a mum at the moment. But she did mention there is something called River City? So maybe she could go on that later on.”
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