Celtic loanee Patrick Roberts scored against parent club Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Celtic loanee Patrick Roberts has told The Scottish Sun that he spoke to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw between the two sides.
Roberts, 19, joined Celtic from Manchester City on an 18-month loan deal back in January 2016, and whilst he’s been featuring under Brendan Rodgers of late, he enjoyed a brilliant yet bizarre evening on Tuesday.
Celtic’s Patrick Roberts shoots at goal
The winger was allowed to play against his parent club under Champions League rules, and as fate would have it, Roberts opened the scoring for Celtic against City inside the first five minutes of Tuesday evening’s clash.
Celtic’s lead didn’t last long as Kelechi Iheanacho equalised from a tight angle just minutes later, and whilst both teams could have won the game, it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Rodgers’ Celtic side are now out of the Champions League and European competition altogether this season, and much of the post-match discussion has surrounded Roberts and his strange goal against his parent club.
Celtic’s Patrick Roberts in action
Roberts is set to return to the Etihad Stadium next summer, so City manager Pep Guardiola got a first-hand look at the young wide man – and had works of encouragement for him after the game.
The former Fulham ace admitted to The Scottish Sun that Guardiola told him to keep playing well for the rest of the season after a promising display against City, and he thoroughly believes he can make the grade at City.
Roberts added that he was happy to see Iheanacho score for City, and revealed that all of the City players greeted him as he made his return to Manchester.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
“The City boys all greeted me and I’m best mates with Kelechi,” said Roberts. “He played well tonight. It was nice for both of us to score, we were the youngest in the changing room and we got on. I’m happy for him.”
“At the end Pep said well done and keep it up for the rest of the season, which was nice of him. I believe I can make it at City, I’m pleased with the performance tonight and hopefully it’ll be the same for the rest of the season,” he added.
Do you think Roberts can make the grade at City?
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