Before we get started here, no, this isn’t a ‘Celtic should re-sign Patrick Roberts‘ article. I think the ship has sailed on that notion and we don’t need to get into entertaining all that.
All the intention here is to catch up on a name who was once a hero with the Bhoys support and who, in recent years, has struggled to follow up his form in Glasgow with consistency elsewhere. I’m delighted he’s now turning things around.
Roberts has played matches for six teams since leaving Celtic, without much success until his most recent stint with Sunderland, where he is starting to earn the adulation he enjoyed north of the border.
A quick look at his social media accounts shows him receiving enormous praise from Sunderland supporters. The kind of passionate comments about his dribbling, skill and contributions that we saw so much of at the Bhoys.
It’s not without merit either. After helping Sunderland earn promotion from English League One last season, he’s finding form again in the Championship, contributing 11 goals and assists across the season. It seems the winger has found a home.
Sunderland have more than consolidated their second-tier status. They are currently sitting in ninth position on 61 points. They are one of a clutch of teams who have a chance of securing a promotion play-off spot in the final four matches of the season and Roberts is a big part of it, starting consistently under former Celtic boss Tony Mowbray. It’s his best full campaign since leaving Glasgow, undoubtedly.
Patrick Roberts still loves Celtic
Now 26, Roberts will always be fondly remembered by many at Celtic for his blistering form on loan at the club, especially during the Invincibles season under Brendan Rodgers. In total, he scored 18 goals and assisted 26 goals across 78 appearances in all competitions, including a couple of efforts in the UEFA Champions League.
Recently, he made it clear the feeling is mutual, telling the club’s official website earlier this month: “It was just like a bit of a second home really, it’s one of those clubs that you play for and they stick with you forever. From minute one I loved my time there and there’s no place like it.
“Playing for Celtic is always a pleasure and a privilege, I would have never turned it down and never have turned it down when I’ve had the opportunity.
“The Scottish Cup final of 2017 stands out. Tom Rogic ran past me to score the goal and I was begging for him to pass to me and he kept going and scored and I haven’t celebrated like that – it was incredible.
“Things like that stick in your memory for a long time. There were thousands of people on the street was incredible and you can’t forget those things in the years since.”
A delight, then, to see an adopted Celtic fan perform well in England, in the top half of such a competitive league. Hopefully, he can have a strong end to the campaign and use his positive experiences this year to push on again into a new phase of his career.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou’s amusing BBC response after rare Callum McGregor Celtic error.
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