PATRICK ROBERTS has urged the English FA to leave him out of their plans for the Under-19s Euros – to let him concentrate on Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers.
The £12million winger, on loan from Manchester City until the end of next season, is a certainty to be included in his nation’s squad for the finals in Germany which run from July 11-24.
But the Hoops expect their first qualifying tie to take place on July 12 or 13 with the second leg a week later.
The talented teenager has now asked the English bosses to excuse him duty and let him play for the Parkhead side in an effort to gatecrash Europe’s elite tournament after missing out in the last two years.
Roberts, who scored his third senior goal of his career against Hearts in the 3-1 win at Tynecastle yesterday, said: “It is always an honour to play for your country, but my priority would be the Champions League qualifiers with Celtic because that is a dream for myself.
“It’s up to the club and the country to work it out out, but my preference is to play for Celtic.
“Chances to qualify for the Champions League don’t come around often, so to do that would be a big honour for me.
“It’s one of the main things you play for in a season, getting into the Champions League and facing the best teams in Europe.
“England want me, as well, but ultimately it won’t be up to me to decide.”
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