CRUNCH DATE IN CLUB-v-COUNTRY ROBERTS SWEAT

FA set Celts deadline to secure Roberts for Scottish Cup Final

CELTIC have the next 10 days to plead their case with the English FA for the services of Patrick Roberts. The on-loan Manchester City winger is due to fly to South Korea with Paul Simpson’s England Under-20 squad in May after helping the side qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals.

England are due to open their tournament with a game against Argentina on

May 20, before competing against Guinea and the host nation.

However, with Celtic pushing for a domestic Treble there is every chance they will look to make their case for Roberts’ inclusion in the squad that will play Aberdeen at Hampden in the William Hill Scottish Cup final on May 27.

The formal squad list for those heading to South Korea is May 8, giving Celtic time to make the case for keeping Roberts for their final game of the season.

The player himself is unwilling to voice a public preference for what he would ideally like to do, although with Moussa Dembele unlikely to be risked after picking up a hamstring injury in Sunday’s semi-final win over Rangers, Celtic will want as many players as they possibly can available.

“It is a privilege for me to play for my country and to play for Celtic so it is someone else who has to make the call,” said Roberts – and it remains to be seen who takes priority.

The 20-year-old has made 41 appearances for the Parkhead side this term and scored seven goals.

However, he has also featured nine times for England’s under-20 squad and was integral to their qualification process.

Speaking last month after helping England to a 2-0 win over Senegal, Roberts said: “we’ve got the World Cup at the end of this season so I’m looking forward to that.

“Not many England teams have done what this age group has so that’s exciting.”