PATRICK Roberts spent his formative years being booted up and down by an elder brother who didn’t quite appreciate the quick feet of a younger sibling, a grounding that prepared him for the often bruising nature of his current position.
The 19-year-old was pivotal to Celtic’s 1-1 draw in Kazakhstan last week as his deft movement created the opening for Leigh Griffiths to snatch what could be a crucial away goal ahead of this week’s return leg in Glasgow. Roberts spent as much time dusting himself down as he did with the ball at his feet; his opposite number, Dimitre Shomko, resorted to some baser tactics in an attempt to halt the incursions of the on-loan Manchester City player. “I have been getting it for years,” shrugged Roberts.
“My mum will tell you: my brother, Adam, has been doing the exact same thing for years. That’s where it comes from. He would hack me and kick me because he didn’t like it when I went past him. He always says now that he had a hand in me [playing] because he was always kicking me, making me stronger.
“He loves to come up and watch me play football. He says I am a player now because of him. Every time I step on the field, I have to be aware that someone is going to try to hurt me. I have got to be mentally and physically fit and overcome that.”
Kris Commons, the Celtic midfielder, was commentating on the game in Kazakhstan for the official club website and offered the view that FC Astana’s game plan is Glasgow will revolve around trying to stop Roberts – by whatever means necessary. Roberts, though, has no qualms about going into a game where he knows the physical elements of the contest will come to the fore. He revealed that Shomko had a chuckle with him at full-time in Kazakhstan when he admitted he had aimed a few kicks in Roberts’ direction. The Celtic player will look to have the last laugh this week.
“He [Shomko] was laughing about it at the end of the game,” Roberts said. “He obviously knew he was giving me it a bit tough, but I was giving him even more – just not physically. He did laugh about it.”
Roberts spoke of “demolishing” teams at Celtic Park, but those inside the ground on Wednesday night for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League third-round qualifier will settle for any result that takes them to the conclusive qualifier for a place in the group stages.
“It is looking good,” said Roberts. “Getting the equaliser put us in good stead for going back to Celtic Park. We are at home and we have to demolish teams at home, that’s one of the key aims of the season.”
Roberts looks like being a key component of Brendan Rodgers’ side this season, a status he is eager to cement. “I have always known what I can do,” he said.
“It was just about getting a game. The manager last year brought me in and gave it to me towards the end of the season. I got a feel for it and I got a feel for what it was like to play games after games. I was hoping to do the same with the new manager. I have got on well with him, he likes me as a player and I can’t ask for any more.”
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