Paddy relishes the chance to make history
PATRICK ROBERTS has insisted that Celtic are not intimidated by the chance to make a little bit of history this season.
The Parkhead side are within two games of going through the league season unbeaten while the chance to enjoy a Treble awaits.
Roberts has eschewed an invitation with England to the Under-20 FIFA World Cup as he bids to write his name into the fabric of Celtic, but he is unperturbed at the magnitude of what the Parkhead side are looking to do.
“I don’t think it fazes us,” said Roberts. “We just go onto the pitch and we just want to play the best we possibly can and improve. I think that proves we’re a top side.
“For us we’ve been the same since we started the season against Hearts. We’ve taken every game as the same and we go into the next two similar and then the cup final itself. It’s a good two weeks to come and we’re looking forward to it.”
Brendan Rodgers insisted after Friday night’s win that teams waiting on Celtic to “go soft” will be in for a surprise and Roberts has maintained that the Parkhead side are determined to keep it going until the last minute of the season. Roberts said: “He says that teams wants to beat us and wait for us to slip up rather than try and beat us.
“If we don’t do that, we know our game, and we know we’ll come out with the best result. For us it’s just about staying mentally focussed and going into every game how we have this season and coming out with the result.
“If you worry about it too much you can let it get to you and your emotions but we’ve been resilient this year and been mentally strong.”
The winger, on loan from Manchester City, has also admitted that it was a major decision to turn out at the Scottish Cup final rather than go to South Korea with his international colleagues.
“It was a massive decision between Celtic and England,” said Roberts. “But the best decision happened and I’m more than happy to play in the cup final and I can’t wait for it.
“I think they [England] can understand the circumst ances. To make history at this club, not many players get to do that. I think they understand
“I have my reasons and they’ve got a big enough squad and a strong enough squad to go and win it anyway. All the best to them.”