IT'S not been a great season for any Celtic supporters who love nothing more than a good moan.

There have been one or two dips; however, those gripes are long forgotten about given what is happening and may be about come, not just this season but the next as well.

But if there is one reason for carping, at least on a small scale, it's about Patrick Roberts and the amount of game-time this talented and exciting winger has had this season. For many, it’s been nowhere near enough.

It is no great secret Brendan Rodgers prefers James Forrest to play on the right side with Roberts coming off the bench in 15 of his 34 appearances so far for Celtic this season, which wouldn’t be what he or most would have felt his contribution would be.

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Whenever Roberts gets on, and removing his tracksuit top receives a loud cheer, the 20-year-old tends to contribute. He is a different player from Forrest, who is having his best ever season but remains a bit hit-and-miss, and it has been slightly puzzling why he has started more.

He returns to Manchester City soon enough and while there have been murmurings of him spending one more season in Glasgow, he is likely to be in his last few months at Celtic Park.

A hamstring strain, the curse of every winger, hasn’t helped, which is a shame for him and everyone else because when on form he is the most exciting player in the Scottish Premiership.

“My priority is to get as much game-time as possible,” said Roberts. “Obviously it’s a big squad and everyone wants to play. It’s hard because it’s a team sport and when things are going so well you’re buzzing for everyone. Our aim is just to achieve what we started out to do at the beginning of the season.

“The atmosphere right now is amazing, everyone is chilled out and when we win at the weekend it makes the week even better and we can then go into the next game even more confident. It’s brilliant and everyone’s loving it, especially with the fans.

“I’ve loved every minute of my time here, and nobody knows what will happen in the future. But I can safely at the end of the season, if everything goes to plan, I can look back and say it was one of the best times in my career. I loved playing out on that pitch and we’ve still got a few games left.”

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Roberts would have played on that pitch more often had his hamstring not let him down and he admitted this has been a frustration.

“Considering I had a similar injury at the start of the season, it’s not a nice thing to do again,” he said. “The good thing is that I know how to come back from it.

“Any footballer will tell you it’s not nice watching from the sidelines when you could be involved. It is frustrating and you can get a bit down; however, it’s really important to stay positive.”

Roberts is a talent. Of that there is little doubt. It’s why Manchester City bought him for £12million, pocket change to that club, two summers ago. But whether the young Englishman could make it at City remains to be seen.

He’s been good for Celtic and Celtic have been good for him. Do not be surprised if Rodgers isn’t looking at similar fringe players at some of the top English clubs.

“I’ve developed a lot and I’ve matured,” Roberts told the Celtic View when reflecting on the past 14 months. “A year has gone by and I’ve changed as a player and a person, and I can’t be thankful enough for that

“It’s fantastic to be here now and being unbeaten (throughout the domestic season) would be an immense achievement.

Read more: Peter Lawwell: New head of recruitment Lee Congerton will ensure Celtic continue to flourish in the transfer market

“There are still a few games left but if we get there it’ll be the one of the most remarkable things I’ve done. So we need to stay confident and focused for the rest of the season."

Meanwhile, a former treble winner with Celtic, Stylian Petrov, returns to charity match featuring teams led by Henrik Larsson and Lubo Moravcik, which will take place at Parkhead on Sunday, May 28.

The Bulgarian paid a warm tribute to both his old team-mates who he rates as the best two he played with during his time at the club.

“Henrik is one of the greatest Celtic players of all-time because of what he achieved with the club,” said Petrov. “I have an unbelievable admiration for him. He is the best player I have played with and the second best player is Lubo. That’s my top two so it will be great to be on the park with them once again.

“They are two incredible players, two incredible human beings as well. To be part of a day that includes Henrik and Lubo and a salute to the Lions is an honour. Everybody knows the history at this club and it is wonderful to be part of it.

“I expect to be playing in front of a full house again as Celtic supporters always come out in numbers for such occasions. I am fit and well and ready to play.”