We talk to former Fulham coaches Kit Symons and Ray Wilkins about the vast potential of Manchester Citys Patrick Roberts, currently on loan at Celtic... Patrick Roberts hadnt heard of Jimmy Johnstone, the Lord of the Wing. He didnt even look his name up when it was mentioned to him. But the legendary Jinky still conjures up awe and excitement at Celtic. Their supporters know a winger of talent when they see one.Roberts is more gifted than most. And while, some Celtic fans might recoil at the absurdity of mentioning the two men in the same breath, the teenagers arrival on an 18-month loan from Manchester City has certainly caused a stir among those longing to be entertained. Roberts signed for Manchester City in the summer in a big-money move A £12m summer move from Fulham to City might have shocked some, but within the game Roberts had long been identified as a player of vast potential. He was part of Englands European Under-17 Championship winning side and made his Premier League debut at 17.That ability to glide past opponents; that love of being on the ball. These are the skills that lend themselves to YouTube attention and playground mimicry, even while the wait for a first senior goal continues. Roberts has shown that happy knack for getting bums off seats.Hes been introduced slowly at Celtic. Firstly, there were the whispers about some exciting performances for the development team. Then there were glimpses from the bench. Last time out at Kilmarnock, he showcased his talent with a skilful display in the second half. Andy Walker feels Celtics last gasp win over Kilmarnock could be a defining moment The calls for Roberts to start are growing. Former Fulham boss Kit Symons is someone who understands that anticipation better than most having coached the player at youth and senior level. Those prodigious gifts succeeded in capturing his imagination immediately.Pat is a tremendous footballer, Symons tells Sky Sports. Hes one of those players who you just love to watch. I remember seeing him as a real young boy when he first joined the academy and even back then as a 15-year-old he could do fantastic things with the ball.Pats one of those get-on-the-ball-and-run-at-people type of players. He just puts a smile on peoples faces. When he was training with the first-team as a kid, every now and then youd just stop and clap the things he does. When he was training with the first-team as a kid, every now and then youd just stop and clap the things he does. Kit Symons on Patrick Roberts Symons paints a picture of a youngster who just loves to play. The added colour is provided by an anecdote about him getting the bus home from training to save his mother picking him up - and this coming even after hed made his debut for the Fulham first-team.Ray Wilkins also worked with Roberts during his brief time as a coach at Fulham under Rene Meulensteens management and was equally impressed. His character is first-class, Wilkins tells Sky Sports. Hes a lovely lad and they get a good grounding at Fulham.Patrick is one of those guys who can change defence into attack very quickly with his pace. In the final third, hes devastating - especially at youth level. Hes a player who Rene Meulensteen and I always felt would push on. Roberts has started only one game for Celtic so far since his switch Hes a slight lad - hes not as tall as me - but he has an immense amount of ability and one I hope will shine in the Premier League.Its that build that perhaps explains why Roberts development has not been as swift as might have been expected of a player of his ability.While some fans were frustrated by Symons decision to introduce the youngster slowly, he was always going to require careful management. Physically hes not a big and strong lad so he still needs to develop but that will come, adds Symons.He needs to be integrated into first-team football and get the right opportunities at the right club and at the right time. Hell have to build it up gradually but he can go on to be an absolutely fantastic player. If he fulfils his potential hell be a real star for the future. The question for Roberts is whether, in fact, he is picking the right clubs. Concern over the decision to join City has only been exacerbated by the fact that hes seen only four minutes of Premier League action for them - coming on with the team 4-1 down at Tottenham.The subsequent loan move to Scotland might be seen as a backward step given the strength of some of the opponents in Celtics division. Is this really a step up from the Championship in which hed been playing? Wilkins has his doubts but believes it could yet work out well.I was a bit surprised when he chose Manchester City, I have to be honest, says Wilkins. Its a massive move to a massive club when he hadnt really done anything at Fulham. Itd have been nice if hed gone back on loan and made his mark in the Championship. Welcome to the real world. This is playing for points and guys playing for bonuses for their families. Ray Wilkins on Patrick Roberts But Celtics a good move for him because hell be playing with good players. You have to get in there against blokes who are going to knock you about a touch. Welcome to the real world. This is playing for points and guys playing for bonuses for their families.Symons agrees. It could prove to be a very good move for him, adds the Welshman. Obviously, it is a very physical league but Celtic should be winning more games than not and if hes playing in a team thats on top then youll see the best of him.So in that respect it could prove to be an excellent move. I do hope so because hes a lovely lad. He just loves playing football and hes got that schoolboy mentality to him whereby he just loves kicking a ball about. You hope he never loses that. Jinky Johnstone used to spend hours in the playground alone. Hed then dribble between the milk bottles he lined up near his home. Roberts certainly seems to be a player in that spirit. Now Celtic fans are just anxious to get a proper look at how good he might be too. 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Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. OXON HILL, Md. -- Chris Archer was so excited to pitch for the United States at the World Baseball Classic that he offered to recruit more players to join him.Its OK, general manager Joe Torre said, thats under control.In addition to Archer, the Tampa Bay Rays ace right-hander, the U.S. will have NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals, 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Thats a star-studded start to the roster as the U.S. seeks to put more value in the tournament that it hasnt yet won.As everybody knows our country probably hasnt taken it quite as seriously as some of the other countries in the past, manager Jim Leyland said Monday. We are trying to change that mentality.Getting Scherzer, Posey, McCutchen, Archer, Toronto Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones to sign up sends that message. Torre said Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich, Cleveland Indians reliever Andrew Miller and Kansas City Royals starter Danny Duffy committed to play and that he hasnt yet spoken to two-time AL MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.Any player who hasnt committed to us, the only reason thats been the case is because of conditioning or injury or stuff like that, Torre said. Every single one of these guys that Ive talked to and reached out to, because I text and a lot with them, the reception has been very possitive.dddddddddddd.Major League Baseball on Monday announced the initial list of 30 players set for the tournament, which takes place in March. Among them are 24 All-Stars.Manny Machado, Robinson Cano, Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz and Dellin Betances will play for the defending champion Dominican Republic. Felix Hernandez will pitch for Venezuela, which will also have Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Gonzalez on its roster.Each team must submit its final roster by Feb. 6. Torre and the U.S. staff will continue to seek players out before that deadline, but hes thrilled at the excitement of players like Archer, who Leyland described as all fired up to play.Hes over the moon with it, Archer said. When I first talked to him, first contacted him, he was giving me suggestions on who he could call. I said, `Just cool down. Weve got to do this thing with the Players Association. I dont want you to be calling your neighbors in here about this.While some stars like Bryce Harper have reportedly recused themselves from consideration, Leyland said it was important to focus on those who did decide to leave spring training to participate.Were certainly not throwing anybody under the bus that decided not to play, Leyland said. Thats not fair. They all have good reasons, and we honor and respect that. Were going to move on to the players that did decide to play with no animosity towards anybody that did not decide to play. Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2020 Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys China NFL Gear Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Hoodies Black China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store China Jerseys ' ' '