Roberts buoyed by Guardiola acclaim

December 07, 2016

Celtic goal hero Patrick Roberts enjoyed
congratulations from Manchester City boss Pep
Guardiola
after the sides played out a 1-1
Champions League draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Roberts, who is 10 months into a one-and-a-
half-year loan spell at Parkhead from City, gave
his parent club and their celebrated boss a vivid
demonstration of his talents with a superbly
taken fourth-minute opener in Tuesday's Group
C match.
City equalised through Kelechi Iheanacho shortly
afterwards, but Roberts continued to pose
questions to a City backline showing plenty of
their frailties despite Guardiola shuffling his pack
for a dead rubber.
"[Guardiola] came up to me afterwards and said
"hello" and "well done", so that was nice of him,"
said the 19-year-old, who accepts his display
will provide no guarantees of a long-term future
at the Etihad Stadium.
"Who knows, you don't know what's going to
happen in football. You just have to enjoy the
moment and finish the season strong, then see
how it goes next season.
"It's been great. Playing in games like these and
the opportunity to play in the Champions League,
it's an achievement to do that.
"When I came to Celtic, that was the main goal
and to play for Celtic has been great."
Celtic bow out of European competition this
season with three points from a tough Group C,
having drawn home and away with City and at
Borussia Monchengladbach.
Following a humbling 7-0 defeat in their opening
match at Barcelona, Roberts believes Brendan
Rodgers' side have acquitted themselves well.
"Obviously we were in a very tough group and it
was always going to be hard to get out of it," he
said.
"We've shown as a team that we are capable of
standing up to everybody and playing our
football."
Leigh Griffiths and Gary Mackay-Steven passed
up late chances to claim a consolation win for
Celtic in a game where their opponents struggled
for fluency throughout and Roberts paid tribute
to Rodgers, who he credits for developing him
during this fledgling stage of a career that
promises much.
"He's been good," the former Fulham player
added. "He loves young players, he talks to you
every day and he just wants the best for me. I'm
happy he's the manager and he's brought me on
a lot since he's been here."