DENAYER SELLS HOOPS TO ROBERTS

PATRICK ROBERTS admitted advice from Jason Denayer confirmed his decision to agree a loan move to Celtic from Manchester City.

The 18-year-old winger joined the Hoops on an 18-month temporary transfer deal and follows the Belgium defender who won a Premiership and League Cup double during his spell at Parkhead last season.

Roberts, who signed for City from Fulham last summer for a fee reported to be up to £12million, was keen to move to the Hoops as soon as he became aware of their interest – but revealed he also valued Denayer’s experience at the Glasgow giants.

He said: “Manchester City know that I need to be playing football and they were happy for me to come here.

“Jason Denayer did it last year and he did very well.

“I spoke to him and he said it was a very, very good club. So, I was happy with what he said and I was really excited.

“He said he never wanted to leave. He enjoyed it so much he kept bragging on about it every time I asked him.

“It is the biggest club in Scotland. They play in Europe and play in a massive stadium.

“I am here for a long time and I want to be as successful as anyone else and win trophies.

“I am very direct, I am very quick, I like to get the fans off their seats, which I hope to do many, many times.”

Roberts, who revealed he wore the Celtic kit as a kid – “my mum used to buy me one” – had his move ratified only hours before City confirmed that Pep Guardiola had agreed a three-year deal to become manager in the summer.

The current Bayern Munich boss will replace Manuel Pellegrini, who will depart at the end of June.

Roberts added: “It doesn’t affect me one bit. I am here for 18 months to play for Celtic and what they do doesn’t bother me.”