Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts shines brightest on loan at Celtic out of club’s youngsters in Champions League
Wing wizard was playing his employers... But it did not stop Celtic's loan star from tormenting Gael Clichy
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IT WAS a night designed for Manchester City’s young stars to shine bright as they took on Celtic.
And Bhoy… Did one teenager in particular make an impression during the Champions League clash.
The thing is, by strange coincidence, it was a City star in the away shirt of the Scottish champions that shone brightest.
It took Patrick Roberts just 3 minutes and 51 seconds to show Pep Guardiola exactly what he was missing as he stunned the Etihad by opening the scoring.
The Spanish coach was not in charge when the Citizens sanctioned his 18 month loan move to Parkhead last January.
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And even if he did not know too much about 19-year-old before Tuesday’s encounter, he certainly does now after he left veteran Gael Clichy a tormented soul.
The French defender’s head could still very well be spinning after he was sent one way then the other as the youngster skipped past him and into the area from out on the right.
And just as coolly as the move that got him there, when the opening presented itself, he drilled home left-footed.
He was at it again moments before half time. Roberts found a way past two men as he darted into the box, only to be pulled back by Clichy, but not one of the six officials spotted the offence.
Overall it was a dangerous and imaginative display for the ace, on only his second appearance at the Etihad – his only other one coming on his Fulham debut back in March 2014.
Ex-Arsenal man Clichy was clearly impressed. He told City’s website: “He is a quality player. He has gone on loan to express that and we are happy he is doing well.”
As was Guardiola, who says he was delighted to produce a performance against his parent club.
“We know his quality,” said the former Barcelona boss. “He worked really hard and defended well and I'm so happy for him.”
The club have invested a lot in their academy in recent times and it appears under the guidance of Guardiola that investment is about bear fruit.
But maybe Roberts had become something of a forgotten man back in Manchester – despite it was only in July 2015 that they splashed the cash to snap him up from the Cottagers. His deal could eventually rise to £12million.
Tuesday’s opportunity was his big chance to make a lasting impression and remind City chiefs why he is one of the most promising youngsters in the country – if not Europe.
One man delighted to have Roberts at his disposal is Celtic chief Brendan Rodgers, even though it may only be for another six months or so.
And his current boss is in no doubts that the performance Roberts produced against his employers has done his chances of making it long-term at City no harm whatsoever.
Rodgers said: “It’s great that City allows him to play in a game like this here. You see a top young English talent score a brilliant goal and show his quality.
“I’m very proud of him in terms of his concentration and his quality in the game.
“Can he fit into this City team? He has the quality – there’s no doubt about that.
“When he signed it was for 18 months and the idea was to play games at his age.
“At Celtic with 60,000 fans every other week he’s dealing with expectancy and has won a league title and a cup and is now a winner.
“I’m sure he’ll come back here in the summer and Pep and his staff will have a right good look at him.
“But they’ll be encouraged – really encouraged – by what they’ve seen tonight.
“He’s technically gifted, tactically improving that side of his game, and physically he looked strong.
“He’s a big talent and I’m sure there will be a big career for him here.”
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