James Forrest suggests Patrick Roberts has helped raise his game

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Patrick Roberts joined Celtic on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.

Celtic winger James Forrest has suggested to The Scottish Sun that the presence of Patrick Roberts in the squad has helped him to step up his game.

Forrest is playing well for Celtic at the moment and has established himself as an important player in Brendan Rodgers’s side.

Some would have been concerned about the 26-year-old winger’s place in the Hoops team when Roberts returned to Celtic Park in the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old winger joined Celtic on a season-long loan deal from Premier League club Manchester City in the summer of 2017.

Scotland international winger Forrest has suggested that having Roberts in the team has helped him step up his game.

“Competition for places here drives you on — it’s the same with Scotland, not just at Celtic,” Forrest told The Scottish Sun. “There are 27 players and there are maybe four, five or six players who can play in your position.

“At Celtic we have got two or three international players for every position in the team. That keeps you motivated because you know if you don’t kick on there will be another player to come in.

“Patrick came back but he also came in at a time when I was feeling good. It is more competition for places and it drives people on. If you ask everyone they want to play.

“So we all want to make sure we are available for every game and that means we need to be at it in training, too.”

Celtic have a strong squad, and competition is fierce for a place in the starting lineup, especially in the midfield and attacking departments.

Forrest has been on the books of Celtic his entire professional club football career so far, and given his performance, he looks set to remain at Celtic Park for many more years to come.