Pat so amazed to swap childhood kickabouts on local pitches to playing in Bayern’s Allianz Arena

FROMthreemenanda dog at the Chiswick and District Sunday League to the Allianz Arena, Patrick Roberts will go from one extreme to another this week.

Ignored for a call to England’s Under-21 side over the international break, Roberts spent his time with his family in London.

Turning up to elder brother Adam’s regular Sunday game was how Roberts spent his time relaxing – although he didn’t miss the chance to give his brother a bit of stick as he stood at the side of a deserted public park. From the anonymity of parklife to the glamour of the Champions League, Roberts is content just to get his football fix wherever he can.

“My dad and I were there and Adam missed a penalty – I took a video of him doing it and his mates were laughing,” he joked.

“He’s had some stick but he gave me pelters for my miss against Rangers at Hampden a couple of seasons back.”

There is a feeling that Roberts’ snub from Aidy Boothroyd’s squad owed much to the player’s desire to turn out for Celtic at Hampden in May in the Scottish Cup final rather than go to the World Cup with his fellow countrymen. That decision may have been vindicated on two fronts; Roberts wrote his name into Celtic’s history books as he helped the club claim an undefeated domestic Treble, while England won the Un- der-20 World Cup in South Korea.

HOWEVER, while it may be the case that his decision to put Celtic first cost him a call-up this time around, the player remains content to let his feet do the talking on the pitch.

Getting the chance of a breather before another intense burst with Celtic ought to ensure that the winger is fresh and invigorated ahead of today’s meeting against Dundee as well as the midweek tie against Bayern Munich and the League Cup semi-final against Hibs.

And watching his brother in the amateur leagues was the perfect way for Roberts to gear up for those games.

“Whether my not going to the World Cup had an impact on that decision, I don’t know – the manager picks his squad and I’ll just keep playing my football and scoring my goals here,” he said. “After that, what happens, happens.

“I went to London for a few days and watched my brother, Adam, play.

“He turns out for a team in Hounslow and also plays with his mates for a team called Barnes Eagles in the Chiswick and District Sunday League. That’s quite enjoyable for me.

“He’s not bad and he scores