PATRICK ROBERTS is determined to make up for lost time as he targeted a strong run-in to the season.
The on-loan Manchester City winger made his long-awaited comeback as a 68th-minute substitute for James Forrest in yesterday’s goalless draw against Motherwell at Fir Park.
Coincidentally, it was the same venue where Roberts made his last appearance on November 29 before injuring his hamstring.
The 21-year-attacker came close to making a spectacular impact with a run and shot that flicked off the top of the crossbar with eight minutes to go against 10-man Well who had defender Cedric Kipre dismissed just before half-time following a tussle with Scott Brown.
Roberts said: “It was the longest four months of my life, but it was great to get back out there, shame about the result.
“It’s been tough. I came back about a month ago and it’s been about getting the fitness and the match sharpness back I had before I got injured.
“I have worked hard to get where I am and, hopefully, I can kick on now.
“I have felt good in training the last few weeks and I knew I would get on at some point. I was trying my best to get a goal but the bar got me.
“I just want to finish the season as strongly as I can. We have a few games left now and we still have the big Scottish Cup semi-final to play and the games in the league.
“Hopefully, I can get as many minutes on the pitch and get back doing what I was doing before I was injured.”
Brendan Rodgers’ team are 10 points ahead with a game in hand as they go into the international break and the seventh successive title is in sharp focus.
Roberts added: “There’s always work to be done. We will take each game as it comes, no matter who we play, and we will try to get as many wins as we can.
“That’s all we can do. We showed last year the resilience we had when we were so far ahead.
“At the end of the day, we just have to go out there and do it for ourselves and the league will take care of itself.”
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