When Celtic signed Patrick Roberts from Manchester City on an eighteen month loan, there was not a lot known about him except the £12m fee paid to Fulham by the Premier League giants. Roberts showcased his skill, his trickery and his talent in the eighteen months and looked as if he would be returning to City to make an impression in the Premier League.
Alas no, he came back to Celtic on a season long loan but an injury and the performances of James Forrest meant that Roberts’ game was limited. He left and there were rumours of a permanent return but his appearance in Scott Brown’s testimonial struck as being a goodbye. Girona, Norwich and two spells at Middlesbrough (of whom he is currently with) have offered Roberts a route to the Premier League as a regular. However, unfortunately for him, his spell with Daniel Farke’s Norwich was cut short as he failed to get enough time on the pitch. Instead, he dropped a division to Middlesbrough and appeared to settle but with their style of play and poor results, he found himself on the bench more and more before COVID-19 and Jonathan Woodgate was sacked.
During the week, Woodgate’s replacement Neil Warnock addressed concerns over Roberts’ game time and then today, the 23-year-old was not part of his squad to face Birmingham City. The winger will be looking to meet with his manager and clarify whether he has a future with the Premier League-chasers.
Neil Warnock is reportedly looking to cut Patrick Robertsʼ loan deal short in order to make funds for Yannick Bolasie. [Sky Sports]
–
📸 Getty Images pic.twitter.com/BzSdyvD6bO— AllBoroNews | EST. 2017 (@AllBoroNews) December 18, 2020
Although, the route that Roberts should look to in order to get his place in the Premier League is a return to Glasgow. They say you shouldn’t go back but for Roberts, he can decide to try his hand at another Championship team with the view to getting the game time he needs to find his groove and prove that he is a Premier League player.
Celtic are in need of a right winger and someone with the ability and trickery could be exactly what Neil Lennon needs. If we remember back to the Invincible season, and the players that excelled in that season – Roberts should look to Stuart Armstrong’s progression and realise what can be achieved if you ply your trade in Glasgow for long enough and you will get your reward to the Premier League.
If you look at Roberts’ career stats, he has made a total of 136 appearances for his various clubs. However, over half of these were with Celtic (79) and he really showcased his talents as Celtic won seven trophies in his time in Glasgow.
It may be a pie-in-the-sky suggestion but Paddy Roberts could reinvigorate his career with another move to Celtic.
Paddy could do a lot worse than come back to wear the hoops for a wee loan spell. I would welcome him back anytime, as he would frighten a lot of defences, and maybe just the spark we could do with.. Hail Hail.