Patrick Roberts revealed that some advice from Jason Denayer confirmed his decision to move to Celtic from Manchester City.
The 18-year-old winger joined the Hoops on an 18-month loan deal and follows in the footsteps of the Belgium defender who won a Scottish Premiership and League Cup double during his spell last season as well as the PFA Scotland young player of the year award.
Speaking at Celtic Park, Roberts, who signed for City from Fulham last summer for a fee reported to be up to €16million, was keen to move to the Scottish champions as soon as he became aware of their interest but also valued Denayer’s experience.
“Man City know that I need to be playing football and they were happy for me to come here,” he said.
“Jason Denayer did it last year and he did very well.
“I spoke to him and he said it was a very, very good club. So I was happy with what he said and I was really excited.
“He said he never wanted to leave. He enjoyed it so much he kept bragging on about it every time I asked him.
“It is the biggest club in Scotland. They play in Europe, they play in a massive stadium like this, what’s not to know about them.
“I am here for a long time and I want to be as successful as anyone else and win trophies.
“I am very direct, I am very quick, I like to get them (fans) off their seats, which I hope to many, many times.”
Roberts, who revealed he wore the Celtic kit as a kid — “my mum used to buy me one” — had his move ratified only hours before Manchester City confirmed that Pep Guardiola had agreed a three-year deal to become manager in the summer.
The 45-year-old, currently Bayern Munich boss, will replace Manuel Pellegrini, who will depart at the end of June.
Roberts was non-committal about the change but praised the input of Pellegrini.
“That’s something for Man City to discuss, it doesn’t affect me one bit,” he said.
“I am here for 18 months to play for Celtic and what they do doesn’t bother me.
“Manuel was very good with me. He talked to me every day on the training pitch, coached me very well, made sure I improved every day.
“But he knows, like me, I need to play football. He is a football man and knows that I need to be playing regularly to get better.
“He was on my side to come up here.”
