Loanee Roberts keen to emulate Messi

The latest Man City star to join the Hoops, Patrick Roberts, is determined to follow in the steps of his idol, Lionel Messi, and the new Celtic star is going to great lengths to replicate his style of play.

The 19-year-old, who cost City a fee of around £12 million has joined Celtic for 18-months, and is the latest City player to move north to enhance his skills following the likes of Jason Denayer and John Guidetti on loan.

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Roberts said that he bases his game on the Barcelona forward and studies his movements on the pitch in depth. And speaking to the Manchester Evening News he said:

It’s a conscious thing from me to try to be like Messi.

I’ve watched him for years and he’s my idol.

You try to copy what he does and it also comes naturally to me as well. Because I’m left-footed I tend to move the same way as he does.

In games I try to replicate what he does. I’ve studied him on YouTube and when La Liga is on, I watch that all the time. My view is that you watch the best to learn from the best.

Since joining Manchester City, he has only made a handful of substitute appearances, but he is keen to gain experience and hopes once he returns from his loan he will break into the City first team.

I’m very determined. I started playing for Fulham at 14, which is quite late, and was in and around the first team at 16.

I’ve got the determination to play at the highest level and I’m more than capable to do it.

I’ve got the head for it, the mental side and the ability and my goals are achievable.

Roberts will also be looking for game time to impress incoming manager Per Guardiola, as well as England Under-21 head coach Gareth Southgate having played for the Under-19 squad.

He currently has 14 caps to his name, scoring six goals for his country for the Under-19 side and three senior appearances for Manchester City.