Roberts hails Celtic as ‘a massive club’

Manchester City’s Patrick Roberts has said that Celtic are a ‘massive club’ as he puts the final arrangements to join Celtic on an 18-month loan deal.

The English attacker was on the move early this morning and quickly stated that he wanted his time in Scotland to assist him in his future with the English side.

Roberts was in attendance for Celtic’s Scottish League Cup semi-final and watched on as their hopes of a treble were ended by Ross County.

When asked by a Sky Sports reporter on the move, as per STV, he said:

It’s a massive club. Everyone knows Celtic around the world. I’ll be building experience to take back to Manchester City.

Eyebrows were raised when Roberts signed for City last summer for a substantial fee which could rise to around £12 million and has spent the season on the fringes of the squad, making appearances from the bench on three occasions.

However, Roberts has been overshadowed in the youth structure within the team with the fine form of youngster Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian has scored eight goals in 16 matches, firmly grasping his opportunity within the team.

As per the official website, he also added:

Celtic is huge in Scotland and in Europe, and this is what I want. I’m here for a long time and have time to bed-in at the club. It’s a long time but I want to be here to develop. I want to do well for Celtic, win trophies and get into Europe. Those are my aims.

This is the biggest club in Scotland. They play in Europe and a massive stadium like this. I used to wear the kit when I was younger as my mum bought me it and I liked the colour.

I want to be as successful as anyone else, win trophies and games – I want to get that into my locker for my career.

I’m very direct and quick. I like to get the fans off their seats, which I hope to do many times, and I like to score goals.

I have spoken to Ronny a few times and he’s been very good with me. I know this is a big club with big players and I know how good they are.

I have seen Celtic Park on European nights on TV many times and it looks amazing, so it would be great to witness that.

The 18-year-old is the latest player to move to Scotland from the Manchester club, after the loans of Jason Denayer and John Guidetti last season and the £1.5 million signing of Dedryck Boyata last summer.

Roberts is also be looking for game time to perhaps impress both manager Manuel Pellegrini as well as England Under-21 head coach Gareth Southgate having played for the Under-19 squad.