THERE was only one way the cheeky and talented young Patrick Roberts was going to be treated when he would nutmeg big brother Adam and his mates.

They would kick him. Every time the wee scamp beat one, two and then a third, an older boy would dish out the sort of punishment which some would describe as character building.

It might sound cruel but if you are going to be a diminutive winger then best to find out early on that life as that kind of footballer is tough.

The Roberts boys are clearly close, but when your wee brother is taking the Michael, what is the older sibling supposed to do?

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Roberts said: “I used to play with my brother and his mates and they used to kick me, which was good. So now it’s routine for it to happen on a Saturday.

“I was the annoying little brother that used to dribble past him. He used to kick me about the park, if you ask my mum, when I ran past him.

"It was fun to wind my brother up and you get in arguments and fights.

“He’s not bad, he says I’m the player I am because of him being the bigger brother.

“He plays down south for an amateur team called Barnes Eagles and whenever I get down I’ll watch him play. He’s been in a couple of cup finals but he’s lost them both, so I hope I don’t lose."

The entire Roberts clan will be at Hampden on Saturday to see if their lad can help Celtic end the season invincible and immortal.

This isn’t so unusual because many of them, Adam mostly, have been regular at the games over the past 18 months.

Read more: Patrick Roberts: I will never feel the love I get from Celtic fans at any other club​

They have got right into what being a Celtic fan is all about even if the boys were all brought up to worship Liverpool while mum is an Evertonian.

Roberts said: “They have loved it, especially my brother, he always gets involved, he loves the away games, loves being part of my career and it is nice for me to have support like that - most players don't have that.

"It is nice, they just want to see me do as well as I want to do for myself.

“They go to away games as well. At Thistle on Thursday, he (Adam) was trying to get as many tickets as he could.

"Towards the end of the season he has been to a lot and has been up here most of the time. He enjoys it, he gets right into it.”

So does little brother return the favour?

He said: “When I have a day off, and they are playing on Sunday, I’ll sometimes go. How many are watching him? A couple of dogs, a few fans and me. And a couple of fights.

"He appreciates that, he comes and watches me and I love watching him just as much. We’ve got the support of our mum and dad who follow us around as well, like they did when we were kids. We’re a big football family.”

Roberts has been great for Celtic. Wherever he goes next, this young man can be assured of a warm welcome at Celtic Park for years to come; especially is he can help deliver a treble.

And the way he is playing right now, you wouldn’t want to be Aberdeen left-back Andrew Considine whose job is to somehow keep the Englishman quiet.

Roberts said: “I just think players come into form at different times. It is all about how you finish the season, and finishing it as strong as possible, mentally and physically, coming into every game, fit and positive and that is what I have done.

“I have kept focused and confident and scored a few goals, which is good, and if that has helped the team that's nice.

Read more: Patrick Roberts: I will never feel the love I get from Celtic fans at any other club​

"As players, I think we thrive under pressure. When you get out onto the park, there is excitement, like when you get a good first touch and do well. That is important for me.

“It sets you up for the rest of the 90 minutes. You gain confidence through that and the more confident you get the more shots and goals you get. Getting that good first touch helps you do that in the game.

"I believe in confidence a lot. If I have all the confidence in the world I can try anything I want - that for me is the biggest part of my game - to be confident in your ability and never let that drop."

If he is to leave Celtic, going out with a classic performance at the end of an unbelievable season would be a nice farewell.

Roberts said: “These fans are brilliant, they just enjoy watching good football. I have been part of that all my life, and my parents are part of it, when I can make them get up off their seat makes me feel good and that is why I do it more and more. “

If he does go, he will be missed.