Patrick Roberts faces a major challenge forcing his way into Manchester City’s first-team so remaining at Celtic may be the better option.
Celtic’s Patrick Roberts scoring against parent club City in the Champions League
Patrick Roberts may be about to bid a wistful goodbye to Celtic.
The winger’s 18-month loan from Manchester City could hardly have ended in a more fitting fashion with Brendan Rodgers’ side capping an undefeated domestic season by beating lifting the club’s first treble since 2001, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Tom Rogic’s stoppage time strike was enough to earn a gruelling 2-1 win against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park. And, as it stands, that muggy Saturday afternoon will be the last time Roberts dons the famous green and white hoops.
Although not if Rodgers can help it. The Northern Irishman admitted recently to the Evening Times that Celtic would be at the front of the queue if Roberts could not find a way to break into Manchester City’s first-team.
‘I want to play every week’
At the age of 20, the former Fulham prospect needs regular minutes to build on his potential. Therefore, especially with City set to seal the signing of Monaco play-maker Bernado Silva, you wonder whether he would see remaining in Glasgow as the best option available to him.
“I don’t know (what the future holds), we’ll see what happens,” Roberts told the Belfast Telegraph after sealing a treble on the fiftieth anniversary of the Lisbon Lions. “I’ll have a break and then go back to Man City and then we’ll see where it goes from there.
“I just want to enjoy my football. I want to play every week and enjoy playing football, like I did when I was a kid. If I can do that I will be happy.”
However, with Silva added to a star-studded City attack including Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne and co, the youngster will know that the EFL Cup perhaps represents his best hope of regular football next season.
Monaco’s Bernardo Silva could cost City a club-record £60m
Fortunately, Celtic’s door will remain open.
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