Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes they could sign Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts outright.

The winger is currently in the middle of an 18-month loan deal with the Scottish champions, and Rodgers believes the experience Roberts has with the club could stand them in good stead for the future.

"The loan does two things. It allows the player to buy into the team, commit and take on responsibility. Also, it's a chance for us to sell the club. There might be a point down the line where he has to leave City," the former Liverpool manager told the Daily Record.

“If he's had a good experience with us, we probably stand a greater chance of bringing him here on a permanent basis. If he has a good experience and plays well, he might just end up signing for the club at a later time.

“We know he will go back at the end of this season but he probably won't have a better preparation than he will get at Celtic – in terms of how they'll want him to play. Then we will see what the future brings for him."