Chris Sutton has ridiculed Daily Record journalist Gordon Parks on Twitter after he claimed that Celtic’s Patrick Roberts was wrong to return to Parkhead.
In his Daily Record column, writer Parks claims that 20-year-old ace Roberts was showing a “lack of ambition” by returning to Celtic on a season-long loan rather than chancing his arm elsewhere.
Parks questioned the Manchester City youngster, seemingly puzzled at the England youth international’s decision to overlook La Liga side Girona and Ligue 1 outfit Nice to return to Celtic this summer.
Celtic icon Sutton responded to Parks’ article on his personal Twitter account, describing it with a two-word verdict as “utter nonsense”.
Utter nonsense…. https://t.co/DMVWskkMWt
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) September 3, 2017
Roberts finally returned to Celtic after 18 months with the club before rejoining City this summer, to the delight of Hoops fans after his sensational form during 2016-17.
The former Fulham ace scored 11 goals and laid on a huge 19 assists for the Hoops last term during his 47 league and cup outings, and is one of five signings made by Brendan Rodgers this summer.
Roberts joins Osdonne Edouard in joining the club on loan, with Jonny Hayes, Kundai Benyu and Olivier Ntcham putting pen to paper on permanent deals with Celtic.
Celtic’s new number seven could make the first appearance of his new loan spell against Hamilton on September 8, before the Hoops face Paris Saint-Germain on September 12.
OPINION
Roberts has certainly showed no lack of ambition whatsoever in rejoining Celtic, with the Hoops competing in the Champions League against PSG, Bayern Munich and Anderlecht as well as looking to secure a second successive treble this season. Although he could have moved to Girona or Nice, he would not have been guaranteed first-team football while game time at City is hugely unlikely with the likes of Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus ahead of him in the pecking order. Joining Celtic and gaining more first-team football under his belt, both in the league and in the Champions League will see him be a better player for it, contrary to Parks’ claims.