WATCHFUL EYE
Rodgers tracks Roberts and hopes for his return
BRENDAN RODGERS admits Celtic are still keeping tabs on Patrick Roberts’ situation at Manchester City as they seek a solution to their shortage of forward cover.
Leigh Griffiths yesterday stepped up his recovery from a calf injury by working on the training pitch, but the striker’s inclusion against Rosenborg next Wednesday night remains uncertain.
With Moussa Dembele out injured until September, Celtic had to operate without a recognised frontman when a goalless home leg against the Norwegians left their Champions League hopes in the balance.
Rodgers remains adamant that adding a third senior striker to compete for one position could ultimately create more problems than it solves. Instead, his preference would be to land a winger capable of operating up front when needed.
Roberts successfully filled that role during his impressive loan spell from Manchester City and Rodgers admits a Parkhead return for the 20-year-old would be an ideal outcome.
However, he knows a final decision on the player’s future — which may not arrive until later in the transfer window — remains outwith Celtic’s control.
‘Pat would be amazing for here,’ said Rodgers. ‘But it all goes down to, one, Manchester City and how they see his future there. He has gone on tour with them and got some game-time. They will make a decision after that. Two, it is also
the boy. The boy might not want to come back. The boy might want to play in the Premier League if he has somewhere to do that. He might fancy a spell in Europe. ‘But what he knows is that he has a great place here if it comes to that. ‘The club can bring him here. It’s more going to be whether the player sees this as the next step for him.’ Asked if Manchester City had been requested to keep Celtic up to date, Rodgers replied: ‘Naturally.’ Alternative options will also be considered ahead of the Champions League play-off round should Rosenborg be
overcome in the second leg in Norway. ‘We would maybe look at a winger who can also play as a striker,’ added Rodgers. ‘Certainly, getting through we would not want to be in this position if we can help it. ‘We had four wingers last year with Gary Mackay-Steven, Scotty (Sinclair), Pat and James (Forrest). Now we have only three (with Jonny Hayes). ‘We will know even clearer after Wednesday. We’ll have a slight break before what would be the final qualification phase.’ Like defender Erik Sviatchenko, Griffiths is pushing to be fit for the trip to Trondheim and will continue working at Lennoxtown while Celtic head south for today’s friendly against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. ‘Leigh was out on the field today,’ said Rodgers. ‘We will get a better gauge over the course of the next couple of days but we will need to wait and see. It’s still touch and go. ‘It’s all about getting him on the flight (to Norway) next week. He will be short of match fitness but that’s how it goes. ‘Players are rarely 100 per cent but it’s that mechanism of risk and pain. ‘Leigh will want to play if he is somewhere near.’ Captain Scott Brown and rightback Mikael Lustig will also miss the friendly against Sunderland because of minor knocks but both players will be fit to face Rosenborg.