An 18-month loan spell at Celtic will give the 18-year-old the chance to begin emulate his "idol" after studying the Argentine for years
Manchester City youngster Patrick Roberts hopes his loan move at Celtic will allow him to play like his "idol" Lionel Messi .
The 18-year-old moved to Parkhead on Deadline Day, penning an 18-month loan deal after making just three senior substitute appearances since joining City for an estimated £11 million from Fulham in July.
With Pep Guardiola set to take the reins at City next season, Roberts feels his lofty ambitions could come to fruition should he make the most of his spell in Scotland before returning in 2017.
"It's a conscious thing from me to try to be like Messi," Roberts told the Daily Mail . "I've watched him for years and he's my idol.
"You try to copy what he does and it also comes naturally to me as well. Because I'm left-footed I tend to move the same way as he does.
"In games I try to replicate what he does. I've studied him on YouTube and when La Liga is on, I watch that all the time. My view is that you watch the best to learn from the best."
Despite struggling to force his way into the first-team picture at Premier League title-chasing City, Roberts is confident he can carve out a career at the top level.
He added: "I'm very determined. I started playing for Fulham at 14, which is quite late, and was in and around the first team at 16.
"I've got the determination to play at the highest level and I'm more than capable to do it. I've got the head for it, the mental side and the ability and my goals are achievable.
"The price tag is what it is - the clubs decide on that. But the expectation motivates me."
- Goal