Will Patrick Roberts regret choosing Celtic over Premier League experience at Southampton?

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Patrick Roberts was determined to return to Celtic this summer despite Manchester City believing he would be better off at Southampton.

It seems that it was only Patrick Roberts’ steadfast desire to don the green and white of Celtic once more that finally convinced Manchester City to let him return to Glasgow this summer.

The winger spent 18 trophy laden months on loan at Parkhead from City, enjoying a superb individual campaign to help Celtic to a first domestic treble since 2001 last season.

And, after a summer of speculation, he has made the temporary move north of the border once again this summer as he aims to help Brendan Rodgers’ side repeat the feat domestically and progress in Europe.

However, while another move to Celtic, where Roberts thrived thanks to the trust placed in him by Rodgers, looks a sensible decision on paper, there is a reason City wanted him to hone his trade elsewhere.

According to the Mail, City manager Pep Guardiola preferred Roberts to join the likes of Southampton or Nice on loan instead. And, in truth, they may have been better suited to preparing him for life at The Etihad Stadium.

While Roberts has already been instilled with that required winning mentality, the lack of a competitive edge in Scotland’s top flight pales in comparison to the fluctuating nature of the Premier League where there is arguably a six-horse race for the title.

Wrong choice?

A season at Southampton, who are renowned for putting young players on the path to stardom, would have given the former Fulham youngster the opportunity to show he can make the grade in England’s top flight and therefore given City a more accurate barometer to measure his talent.

After all, success north of the border is no guarantee that you will thrive in the Premier League. For every Virgil van Dijk, there is a Gary Hooper or Kris Boyd.

Roberts will surely thrive once again at Celtic under Rodgers’ tutelage. But, when he returns in a year’s time, will he actually be any closer to City’s first-team?