Celtic’s new loan star says playing like Lionel Messi “comes naturally to me”

Struggling to break into Manchester City's first team has done absolutely nothing to dent Patrick Roberts' confidence.

The 18-year-old signed for Celtic on an eighteen-month loan deal before the transfer window slammed shut in the pursuit of first team football. What can the winger bring to Celtic Park? He's a pacy, tricky and direct player who is very difficult to dispossess when he gets a hold the ball. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaKOkGPi1Wk And while it may be a tad bit early to compare Roberts, who Manchester City signed for €15 million last summer, to a player of Lionel Messi's standing, Roberts has claimed that there are similarities between himself and the Barcelona legend. “It’s a conscious thing for me to be like Messi," Roberts said. "I’ve watched him for years and he’s my idol.

"You try to copy what he does and it also comes naturally to me as well. "Because I’m left-footed I tend to move the same way as he does.

"In games I try to replicate what he does. I’ve studied him on YouTube and when La Liga is on I watch that all the time. "My view is that you watch the best to learn from the best. "I’m very determined. I started playing for Fulham at 14 which is quite late and was in and around the first team at 16. "I’ve had the determination to play at the highest level and I’m more than capable to do it. "I’ve got the head for it, the mental side and the ability and my goals are achievable."