‘Can we have him back?’ Ironically, the best City player on the pitch on Tuesday was dressed in green and white.
It just had to happen, didn’t it? Can you even describe it as a shock when it was so damn inevitable? When Manchester City owned Patrick Roberts lined up against his parent club for Celtic in the final game of the Champions League group phase, the hyperbolic headlines were already being prepared in the press.
And, sure enough, just four minutes in at the Etihad Stadium, the 19-year-old drifted beyond a couple of weak challenges to slam a crisp finish beyond a despairing Willy Caballero. He celebrated too, with both passion and vigour.
And who could blame him? He had just scored a brilliant solo goal on Europe’s grandest stage right in front of the watchful gaze of a manager who could very well define his future.
Understandably, Pep Guardiola was rather more impressed with his loaned-out starlet than many of his current crop, although Kelechi Iheanacho’s well-taken equaliser suggests even the suspension of talismanic Sergio Aguero may not derail any title bids.
And, in accordance with their manager, City fans were quick to proclaim that they witnessed something special at the Etihad on Tuesday.
They will just be hoping that the next time they see Roberts, he is wearing their shirt.
Most impressive #mcfc player out there today was definitely Patrick Roberts #ChampionsLeague #ManchesterCity
— PerfectStorm Fitness (@NeilAntFitness) December 6, 2016
And we’re just going to leave this here…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
