ROBERTS IN MOVE MYSTERY

FORMER Celtic loan star Patrick Roberts could be on the look-out for a new club next week.

The 23-year-old winger, a fans’ favourite during his two-and-a-half year spell at Parkhead following his temporary transfer from Manchester City, is poised to quit Middlesbrough.

Roberts has rarely figured in his second stint at the Championship side and is weighing up his options as the January transfer window re-opens in four days’ time.

The tricky touchline operator has only made three starts for Boro and boss Neil Warnock has stated he will not block the player’s request to have the loan contract scrapped as he seeks regular first-team action elsewhere.

There was a massive call for the nine-in-a-row champions to deal in the player when his stay in Glasgow came to an end in 2018. Despite reports the Hoops were seriously weighing up a permanent move for the youngster, no deal was struck.

At the time, Brendan Rodgers had James Forrest and Scott Sinclair as his regular wide Bhoys while Lewis Morgan and Marian Shved would join up later to provide competition. Daniel Arzani also arrived in a two-year loan switch from The Etihad giants, but his stay was wrecked by injury.

Roberts has had stints at Norwich City, Girona and Boro and it looks as though he will be searching for a new club in 2021.

Riverside gaffer Warnock, who has only used the player for 39 minutes in the last seven games, told the Daily Record: “I’ve had a chat with Patrick, he’s aware of the situation. The lad wants to play.

“I don’t want him to leave, but if he thinks he can improve his chances by going I wouldn’t stand in his way.”

Roberts, who cost City £12million when he joined from Fulham in 2015, is under contract with Pep Guardiola’s side until the summer of 2022.