PATRICK ROBERTS has gone from training with some of the world's best players to looking forward to a freezing Aberdeen and then a game against a team called East Kilbride.

And Celtic's new loan signing from Manchester City wouldn't have it any other way.

Working with Sergio Aguero and David Silva was a dream for the teenager, he turns 19 in a few days, following a summer move from Fulham worth a staggering £12million.

But watching them every week from the stands did not do it for Roberts so when Celtic called offering an 18-month deal and a real chance of playing every week, he wasn't going to miss out.

Roberts said: "My agent called me and said Celtic were interested – and when you hear that you want to come and play for such a big club.

"When you are not playing you need to get out and play regular football.

“You need to play – that was always in my head. It’s all good and well City going onto win the Champions League, but if you’re not involved then it doesn’t mean as much.

“Here I could be a hero winning things and that is always good. For a young age I wanted to be on the pitch – I hate watching football when I could play.

"To come here and win a league to win a medal is much more important to me than sitting in the stands and watching City win.

“I hate watching football, I like getting involved, scoring goals and having moments on the field that you can cherish forever. Playing is more enjoyable than anything.

“Jason Denayer had good things to say about Celtic at the start of the season. The lads in the changing room also say to me to go out and play.

"I sit next to Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy and they are my best buddies. They give me stick but they also know that I’m a good player and they say it’s best to go away and express myself.”

The fact City spent so much money on a kid who had not even managed 30 games for Championship Fulham says much of what they think about him.

Roberts is a talent. His Youtube clips does make him look like Lionel Messi – although let's not be silly about this – and if he can get going up here, Celtic might just have themselves a much-needed exciting footballer.

And the fact he wasn't satisfied to kick his heels should be encouraging. All he wants to do is play football.

Roberts said: "I asked at the start of the season about going out on loan but (Manuel Pelligrini) wanted me to stay here and train with the likes of David Silva and Sergio Aguero and I was happy with that.

"He said he’d try and get me games because he saw me in training and knew I was a good player.

“I was unlucky with injuries but he was always very good with me in training sessions. Obviously City are in Europe as well next year so maybe we’ll come across each other. I just want to do well at Celtic and help this club out.”

A few hours before Roberts was introduced to the press came the not entirely unexpected news that Pep Guardiola would be taking over from Manuel Pelligrini at Manchester City, a development which seemed to have been met with shrug of the shoulders by young Roberts.

He was more interested in looking ahead to what he can achieve with Celtic, especially in Europe and what the club hopes to be a proper crack at the Champions League.

Roberts said: "I can understand that length of contract because the manager wants to plan for Europe and I want to play in Europe too.

"That’s an aspiration for me – to play in the Champions League – and that kind of football and winning loads of trophies is very exciting for a young player.”

And he doesn't care about the £12m fee that does bring a lot of pressure on him.

Roberts said: "The price tag is what it is – the clubs decide on that. The expectation motivates me.

“I want to be the best and I strive to be the best I can every day.”