Sunderland star Patrick Roberts told The Athletic that he will always support Celtic after spending more than two years at Parkhead. Roberts joined the club in January 2016, and stayed until the summer of 2018.
Roberts, 25, clocked up 78 appearances for Celtic but it was not until Brendan Rodgers arrived in Glasgow that he really got going. Three Scottish titles, two League Cups and two Scottish Cups later, he is well-liked at Celtic.
Since then, he has gone on loan from Manchester City to Girona, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Derby and Troyes – and then, last summer, moved to Sunderland. He has since impress on Wearside, after joining in January.
Part of a Sunderland side under Alex Neil that are set to play at Wembley in the League One play-off final on Saturday, Roberts gave an interview to the Athletic. He said Celtic will always be in heart, after his time in Glasgow.
“Celtic is one of the best times of my career, playing every week for a big club, winning trophies, playing in big games. For a kid, it was an amazing opportunity, and I felt at home at Celtic. I’ll always support Celtic.
“I’ll always have a connection. I was there two and a half years, but that will last a lifetime. I hope I can do something here that’s as important,” Roberts told the Athletic, when recollecting his time at Celtic.
Roberts recollects time at Celtic: Could he ever return?
At the time, Roberts was linked with a permanent move to Celtic. But he did not remain, trying something different in La Liga with Girona. It was a move that did not get the best out of him, not like he produced at Celtic.
Instead, a flurry of loans and the third tier of English football has followed. Ultimately, and with hindsight, Roberts should have joined Celtic permanently. Could he return? Roberts would surely jump at the chance.
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