John Kennedy has revealed that Patrick Roberts hasn’t been ruled out of Celtic’s Champions League qualifiers against Hapoel Beer Sheva.
The on loan Manchester City kid lasted half an hour of last week’s match against Astana before pulling up with a hamstring strain.
Last week Brendan Rodgers seemed resigned to facing the Iraeli champions without Roberts but Kennedy has revealed that the Londoner is making good progress.
Asked about Roberts prospects of facing Hapoel Kennedy said: “He’s making good progress and the rehab is going well, we might be able to get something out of him.”
JK on @patrick7roberts availability for Europe: “Making good progress & rehab going well, might be able to get something out of him,” (MH)
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) August 9, 2016
Roberts was in devastating form during the away leg against Astana where his pace, trickery and bravery left their defender chasing shadows and reverting to strong arm tactics.
When he was signed on an 18 month loan deal in January it was with the specific remit of helping Celtic into the group phase of the Champions League.
After picking up the injury against Atana it looked like he’d have no further part to play in the qualification route but with eight days to go until the first leg he may yet have a role to play.
Following his performance in Kazakhstan Rodgers said: “I thought young Patrick Roberts was outstanding this evening. On a really difficult pitch he showed his level of technique is high quality.
“He was brilliant in the duel and for a young player he couldn’t have asked for a better experience than that this evening.”
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