Football
PA Sport 7y

Celtic's Patrick Roberts delighted with goal against parent club Man City

Patrick Roberts was pleased to help Celtic end their Champions League campaign on a high after scoring against his parent club Manchester City on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old fired the Hoops into the lead after only four minutes of the Group C fixture at the Etihad Stadium, with Kelechi Iheanacho levelling four minutes later as the game ended 1-1.

The result had no effect on the final placings, with the home side through and the Scottish champions out of Europe altogether.

Roberts revealed he spoke to City boss Pep Guardiola after the game -- "he said 'well done' so that was nice of him" -- and then expressed his delight at his goal.

He said: "Yes, that was the plan and it went quite well so I am pleased.

"I enjoyed it. It is not every day you get to score in the Champions League, especially in a stadium like this against a team like that so I am very pleased.

"My family were here, some family from Liverpool as well, my mum and brother were there, my dad was at home watching with my sister, so it was all good.

"I just enjoy playing football for whatever team I am playing for and I give 100 per cent every time I play and I love scoring goals so it is always nice to get on the scoresheet.

"It was a great team performance and we ended the Champions League quite well."

Celtic finished their campaign with three points from 18, two of the draws coming against City, with pool winners Barcelona and third-placed Borussia Monchengladbach also above them.

However, Roberts insists the Hoops are all the better for their efforts in Europe this season.

"It has been great. We had a very tough group and it was always going to be hard to get out of it," he said. "But I think we showed we are capable of standing up to the biggest teams so I am pretty pleased.

"It is one of the best competitions in the world so to get the chance to play in that is always good and you have to show what you can do."

Guardiola told the media that City would assess Roberts' role in the club for next season, while Celtic's Brendan Rodgers was more forthcoming.

The former Liverpool manager said: "It couldn't have been easy for him but the kid showed his quality. He showed he's in the right place at this stage of his career. It's no good him sitting on the bench.

"It's great that City allow him to play in a game like this. You've seen a top, young English talent here -- a brilliant goal, pressed the game well and showed all his qualities. I'm very proud of him in terms of his concentration and quality in the game.

"You come to Celtic, 60,000 every other week and a huge club with big expectancy. He's dealing with that remarkably well. He's won titles and is understanding about becoming a winner.

"I'm sure he'll come back here in the summer and Pep and his staff will have a real good look at him. They will be really encouraged with what they've seen here."

^ Back to Top ^