Patrick Roberts scored against the club he hopes to return to in the summer last night, and then immediately asserted that the club he will be leaving behind will be more than ready to mix it again in the heady company of the Champions League next season.

Roberts impressed his temporary manager Brendan Rodgers, and couldn’t have failed to impress Pep Guardiola in the Manchester City dugout as his early goal – a curling finish after a weaving run into the area – punctuated a lively performance from the winger that home full-back Gael Clichy won’t likely forget in a hurry.

And while he may not be part of the Celtic squad as they look to make their mark on European football next season, he sees more than enough ability and potential improvement in the changing room to ensure that they will be a serious proposition in next year’s competition.

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“It was a good, very positive performance,” Roberts said. “I know it’s only a point but I thought we were unlucky not to get more.

“We gave a good account of ourselves in the group. We were disappointed after Monchengladbach away that we didn’t get the win there late on and tonight we’ve not managed to get a win either.

“It’s frustrating but we’ll learn and get better. Next season Celtic will be much better equipped for the teams we play.

“It was a tough, tough group. We knew that from the start. We had to play our own way and try and get the best results possible.

“I think we have done ourselves proud. We’ve finished with a really strong performance which is pleasing. Everyone wrote us off in the group but we’ve shown our character against City at home and Gladbach away and here again.

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“We’ve had a good group stage without winning a game but it’s an extremely tough group. It’s the best tournament in football and we’ve done ourselves proud. We’ll be well equipped for next season.

“The manager knows what he wants from us and we have to put it into action on the pitch.

“We’ve done that really well. I think he’s very pleased with how it’s gone since we lost to Barcelona out there.”

Celtic’s night could have been even better had referee Slavko Vincic not ignored a tug on Roberts as he danced past Clichy and into the area towards the end of the first half.

“I thought it was a penalty and a couple of the lads did as well but that’s football,” he said. “Sometimes those decisions don’t go for you but you have to keep your head up and go again.”

Roberts admitted that he had taken some personal satisfaction after scoring at the home of the club who loaned him out almost a year ago, but insisted that his main concern as long as he is a Celtic player is the welfare of the team.

He is full of belief though that he can make it among the multi-million pound stars upon his return to the Etihad next season.

“My main aim was just to play well,” he said. “I’ve signed for Celtic for the season, so I’m trying to do my best for the team I’m playing for and always give 100 percent.

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“Every time I get on the pitch that’s all I want to do. I don’t think about anything else, just my personal performance and the team I’m playing for. Whenever I get the chance to play I try to do that and get goals and assists.

“At the end Pep said well done and keep it up for the rest of the season, which was nice of him.

“I believe I can make it at City, I’m pleased with the performance tonight and hopefully it’ll be the same for the rest of the season.”