Celtic defender Kieran Tierney has urged the club to extend the stay of on loan attacker Patrick Roberts.
The 20-year-old winger is set to return to Manchester City this summer after a successful 18-month loan spell at the club, but Celtic figures have refused to accept that this is the end of their affiliation with the youngster.
Roberts contributed 17 goals and 21 assists from 60 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell at Celtic, and he faces an uphill battle to earn a regular first-team role under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad next term.
Manchester City already boast the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva in their attacking ranks, while they are also set to add AS Monaco attacker Bernardo Silva ahead of the new season.
But Tierney, who played regularly alongside Roberts in the first-team at Parkhead, admits he has been trying to talk his team-mate into an extended stay at the club.
He told the Evening Times: “I would be delighted if we were able to get Patrick Roberts back, I really would. He showed last season what he can do and he was part of what was an incredible season for us.
“I am on the phone to him all the time – I am telling him every other day that he would be better back here for another crack at it.
“It is out of my hands but I spent a full season on at him so here’s hoping it might have had some effect.”
The Mirror have claimed that Celtic are in “advanced talks” over a permanent deal for Roberts this summer, with the Hoops prepared to offer £5million for his services.
However, Celtic would likely to have to raise their offer if they hope to land the winger, after Man City paid £12million to sign him from Fulham in 2015.
But his potential lack of first-team opportunities in the Premier League next season offers considerable hope that Celtic can strike a reasonable agreement to keep hold of their star asset.