Caixinha’s secret meet with Hearts ace Tziolis
Roberts: We’re not scared to take our place in history books
CELTIC face a battle with Brighton if they pursue a move this summer for Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva.
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers is scanning the globe hunting down fresh faces to boost his squad for next season.
He has been alerted to the fact that the midfielder will be allowed to leave
PATRICK ROBERTS last night insisted Celtic are not frightened to become legends.
The Parkhead troops are now just a dozen days and three games from completing an incredible season and writing their names into club folklore.
Over the next six days, Celtic can wrap up an entire 38-game Premiership campaign unbeaten if they see off Partick and Hearts and become Invincibles.
On Saturday week, a win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final will make them just the fourth Parkhead team in the 129-year history of the Hoops to win a domestic Treble.
Pressure is mounting as they tick closer to the milestones, yet Roberts is adamant he and his team-mates are not feeling a shred of strain.
He said: “It doesn’t fazes us making history. We just go on to the pitch and want to play the best we possibly can and improve.
“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.
“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 mentally strong.”
The Hoops head to Firhill for the clash with Thistle on Thursday before getting their hands on the trophy on Sunday when they entertain Hearts.
For the past 10 months, Celtic have proved no one can match their ability.
In bagging 100 points and 99 goals, they have crushed everything in sight.
That means that only a slacking of attitude or a serious off-day stands between the dominant force in the country and the completion of their mission. Roberts is aware that the rest are waiting and hoping Celtic switch off.
But he has warned Thistle and Hearts there is no chance of standards dropping or thoughts being turned to Hampden and the Dons on Saturday week.
The winger said: “Of course the main thing for us is to keep mentally strong and focused on the games.
“When the Cup Final comes we’ll get to it but at the moment we’ll just worry about the next two games.
“The manager says the teams that want to beat us 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.”
Celtic’s relentless nature has been incredible. Boss Brendan Rodgers has drilled it into his players week in, week out and they have carried out his instructions to the letter.
Friday’s 3-1 victory over Aberdeen was another example of the ruthless approach. With the title won, the Dons were cited as the team who could potentially topple the champions. Yet Celtic just blew the Dons and theories away. Storming into a 3-0 lead after just 10 minutes, Aberdeen were left in a state of stunned shock.
The Reds managed to haul a goal back and put some pressure on to the Hoops in the remaining 80 minutes but the game had already gone.
Roberts was thrilled with the display of his team. He said: “It was a good three points. We started strongly and got three good goals. It was a tough battle and in the end we defended well to get the win which is all that really matters.
“We knew we were going to start strongly and after the third goal went in we thought it would be good night.
“But obviously, top team that they are, second in the table, they put up a good fight. I think the way they played was more direct and they played to the big man and the target man.
“They obviously played to their strengths and they did well. They tested us.
“We know what we can do. Aberdeen is a hard place to win at and in the last few seasons it has been tough.
“But we went there, scored three goals, won the game and now we’re going into the Cup Final the same as ever.”
For Roberts, it’s now about putting the seal on the season.
Had he chosen to go with the England Under-20 squad to the World Cup in South Korea, he’d already have played is last game in green and white.
But the on-loan Manchester City man knows he’s on the brink of history and is determined to make his decision count.
Roberts said: “It was a massive decision between Celtic and England. But the best decision happened.
“They understand the circumstances. To make history at this club, not many players get to do that.
“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.
“The Cup Final just happens on the day. We’ll turn up and we’ll be positive and confident.
“We’ll go into it strong and that’s all we can do. I’m more than happy to play in it and I can’t wait.”
If you worry about it too much, you can let it get to you and your emotions PATRICK ROBERTS CRAIG SWAN