Roberts eyes swift return to action

Patrick Roberts is looking to hit the ground running after returning to Celtic to step up his recovery work.

The injured loan star has not featured since aggravating his hamstring against Motherwell at Fir Park in November.

He went to parent club Manchester City for treatment but has now joined up with Brendan Rodgers’ squad for their training camp in Dubai and is eyeing a swift return to action once the winter break ends.

The 21-year-old told Celtic TV: “It’s been good to be outside running.

“That was the main objective for me – to get back running while I was out here.

“I’ve been working hard in the gym over the past five or six weeks.

“I want to finish the season strongly. I finished it quite well last year so that’s the main objective again.

“I’ve had a tough season with injuries and it’s getting right and finishing as strongly as I can.”

Meanwhile, Celtic assistant manager Chris Davies cannot wait to get to grips with new recruit Lewis Morgan in the summer.

The Scotland U21 international has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Hoops but will spend the rest of this campaign back at former club St Mirren.

Rodgers’ right-hand man Davies has been impressed with the 21-year-old playmaker’s recent displays for both club and country and was relieved the Scottish champions managed to beat off competition from English sides to land the highly-rated youngster.

Morgan’s aim now is to help lead the Buddies to the Ladbrokes Championship title but Davies says he is already relishing the chance to mould his talents further.

Davies told the Celtic View: “Lewis is someone I have seen play a few times live for Scotland Under-21s, and he was the standout player both times, particularly in the game against Holland . . .”

Picture: SNS. Patrick Roberts is consoled by manager Brendan Rodgers after suffering the hamstring injury that has kept him out since November.