PATRICK ROBERTS will do his talking on the pitch as he bids to finish the season as a regular at Celtic.
The 19-year-old winger has been a bit-part player at Parkhead since arriving on an 18-month loan deal from Manchester City at the end of January. In only his second start for Ronny Deila's side in his fifth appearance he grabbed a double in the 3-1 home Ladbrokes Premiership win over Hearts on Saturday - his first senior goals - after midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven had cancelled out an early Jamie Walker opener for the third-placed visitors.
The Norwegian boss admitted afterwards that it will be hard to leave out Roberts but the former Fulham player, who reportedly cost £11million when he moved from Craven Cottage to City last summer, will not be putting any pressure on the manager who is now planning for the league leaders' trip to Dundee on Tuesday night.
He said: "The manager knows what I can do and I always do my best whenever I am on the pitch.
"I trust his judgement. He picks the team and I have to do whatever I have to do. It is a challenge for everyone, everyone wants to play in the team and be involved. You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to do that so yes, everyone is competing but it is healthy and good for the club and we are pushing in the right direction.
"I just enjoy playing football whenever I am out on the field. It was a very good three points. My first and second goals - it was a good feeling, especially in front of all those fans. Fans are who you play for. Without them you would be nothing. It is joy to play in front of them and score goals for them and I will try to carry on doing that."
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson was unimpressed by referee Bobby Madden's refusal to take any action against Celtic skipper Scott Brown for his two-footed challenge on striker Juanma in the opening minutes, his irritation compounded when defender Juwon Oshaniwa was sent off in injury time for picking up the second of two yellow cards.
Neilson, however, was pleased enough with the way his side performed for large spells in a feisty encounter, a view echoed by midfielder Perry Kitchen. The 24-year-old USA international, who signed for the Gorgie club in March after leaving DC United, said: "It was an incredible environment to play in. Celtic is a huge club, a good team, so it was a great match up.
"I thought we played well, had some good opportunities. There were definitely some goods things out there."
