Patrick Roberts won’t be making Celtic return, much to the disappointment of many fans

Celtic supporters have been pretty despondent in the Transfer Tavern after seeing their side bow out of the Champions League earlier this week courtesy of a 3-2 aggregate defeat to AEK Athens in the third qualifying round.

Brendan Rodgers’ men have reached the group stages in each of the last two seasons under the Northern Irishman and were well on their way to doing so this time round in easing past Alashkert and Rosenborg in the opening two rounds. Yet a 1-1 draw at Parkhead against AEK Athens last week gave them work to do in the Greek capital on Tuesday, work they were unable to do in losing 2-1 on the night and thus 3-2 on aggregate to exit the competition.

And it will now be up to manager Rodgers to pick his players up for a Europa League play-off against Suduva next week, although one man who certainly won’t be featuring for the Bhoys is ex-attacker Patrick Roberts, as he has officially joined Girona on loan for the season.

Exciting new challenge @GironaFC pic.twitter.com/L6B47BhCnI

— Patrick Roberts (@patrick7roberts) August 16, 2018

The 21-year-old is currently on the books at Manchester City but spent the last two-and-a-half years at Celtic, in which time the former England Under-20 international bagged 18 goals and laid on 26 assists in 78 appearances for the Bhoys.

And while last season was a tricky one for Roberts given that he struggled with injury for the majority of it, the 21-year-old has certainly made quite an impression on Celtic supporters, with several expressing their disappointment that the attacker won’t be returning to Parkhead this season…

It has been a joy to watch Patrick Roberts during his time at Celtic. I wish him all the very best at his next club. He will be missed.

Thank you @patrick7roberts pic.twitter.com/PdqMQFZNqd

— nathan (@NC67_) August 16, 2018

Fancy coming back and playing centre half?

— callum (@boab1982) August 16, 2018

This better be a gap year before you come back home. I’m not emotionally ready for this

— Sean Urie (@seanurie17) August 16, 2018

Even tho he was never our player it genuinely makes me sad seeing Patrick Roberts signing for a different team on loan that’s not Celtic his first season at us he was magic

— Kieran (@kierandevinee) August 16, 2018

Good luck paddy Roberts you were amazing at Celtic

— sean (@sean66915299) August 16, 2018

Hi checking into heartbreak hotel

— Liam Houston (@_lhouston1) August 16, 2018

Paddy Roberts will forever be the one that got away, blame who you like for that. With just under 2 weeks left of the window and although it’s already far too late, we still need 3 centre backs, a right back and Roberts & Armstrong replacements.

— Road To Ten (@CelticOK) August 16, 2018