Wednesday 7 December 2016 17:21, UK
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola refused to be drawn on the future of Patrick Roberts after he scored against his parent club for Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.
It was a mostly entertaining game at the Etihad Stadium, with both goals scored in the opening 10 minutes as the winger gave the visitors the lead four minutes in before Kelechi Iheanacho equalised for the hosts minutes later.
Roberts is currently in the middle of an 18-month loan deal with the Scottish Premiership champions and is set to return to City in the summer, but Guardiola remained tight-lipped on his future.
"We are going to talk about it at the end of the season," he told a post-match press conference. "We know his quality but the decision is not about one game. It is for one season for the perspective.
"He has good quality with the winger, one against one. He worked defensively. He has, of course, potential. I am so happy with his performance, of course."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was more forthcoming on the display of his current charge, and believes Guardiola would be impressed by his display.
"It couldn't have been easy for him but the kid showed his quality," the former Liverpool boss said. "He showed he's in the right place at this stage of his career. It's no good him sitting on the bench.
"It's great that City allow him to play in a game like this. You've seen a top, young English talent here - a brilliant goal, pressed the game well and showed all his qualities. I'm very proud of him in terms of his concentration and quality in the game.
"I'm sure he'll come back here in the summer and Pep and his staff will have a real good look at him. They will be really encouraged with what they've seen here."
Guardiola had made nine changes to his side from Saturday's loss to Chelsea after City qualified for the last 16 draw on Monday with a game in hand, with youngsters Oluwatosin Adarabioyo and Pablo Maffeo included in the starting line-up.
"I'm so happy. We played really well against a good team. The experienced players like Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando and Ilkay Gundogan help a lot with the young players and it was a good experience for them," he added.
"They deserved to play because they train well and their behaviour is always perfect so I'm so happy to give them the chance to play in the Champions League.
"The game was good for the spectators, both teams tried to attack and it was fun. It was a pleasure to play against Celtic."