Ruairi Daly 
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After coming under criticism from fans over loan deals, Ronny Deila has give his word that any potential loan deal will benefit Celtic.
The Hoops manager addressed concerns amongst fans that Celtic were becoming a feeder club for Manchester City – with Jason Denayer and John Guidetti previous players who moved north of the border.
Roberts is the latest to be linked with a move to Celtic, and although talented, the 18-year-old won’t be joining Celtic unless the deal is extended beyond the summer.
As quoted by the Daily Mail , Deila said:
But we will not take a player on loan to have him only until the summer – he would have to be something special. If it’s going to be loans then it has to be longer than just to the summer.
If not, there is not anything to think about. We have a lot of players. We have to think: “Is it somebody who can make a difference into next season as well?
The former Fulham midfielder joined the Premier League side in the summer for a fee that could rise to £12 million but has made just three appearances for the Blues this season.
In an attempt to lay down a marker for the future, Roberts wants to move on loan to showcase his talent and get more opportunities in the City first-team.
Much has been made of the relationship between Celtic and Manchester City due to chief executive Peter Lawwell’s son Mark Lawwell being a scout for Manchester City.
But Deila says his relationship stems back much further than last year with the Premier League side.
It’s a relationship that I have had for many years, since Stromsgodset. We trust each other in the way we have developed players for them.
And if they can bring quality into our squad like Jason did and Guidetti as well then it’s positive for both of us.
Now we know that, if we’re going to do things like that, we have to have an arrangement that is over the summer and for a longer period.
The Norwegian was also prompted on whether the deals benefit City more than Celtic but he quickly refuted that belief.
If that is the case it will not happen, you have my word on that.
Eric Knott 
