Wayne Veysey

Sun 8 April 2018 15:03, UK

By Richard Parks

Chris Sutton raved about Patrick Roberts and Scott Bain in the wake of Celtic’s 2-1 Scottish Premiership win against Hamilton on Sunday.

The BT Sport pundit and former Hoops striker claims the fringe duo have given Brendan Rodgers “food for thought” ahead of next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.

Roberts made his first start in six months as he played 86 minutes of the victory at Accies, which was secured by goals from Callum McGregor and substitute Leigh Griffiths.

Bain got the nod to start in goal at Hamilton as fit-again number one Craig Gordon was given the afternoon off amid concerns about the effects of the artificial pitch.

Sutton praised an “excellent” display from Roberts and also insisted that on-loan keeper Bain “hasn’t put a foot wrong” since being promoted to the first team following injuries to Gordon and his deputy Dorus De Vries.

Football Insider verdict:

Have Roberts and Bain done enough to start against Rangers? Sutton is convinced they have, but recognises that Rodgers has two big calls on who to start in goal and in the wide attacking positions. Bain has made a sound impression since being fast-tracked into the starting XI, and has already delivered a man-of-the-match performance against Rangers. Should he oust Gordon from the XI? On form, he probably should. As for Roberts, his speed, trickery and all-round cutting edge make him a tougher opponent that any of James Forrest, Scott Sinclair, Tom Rogic or Callum McGregor? Ask Declan John who he would least like to face, and the answer would probably be ‘Roberts’. He’s been on the fringes since being restored to fitness, but his performance against Accies shows he is a dangerman once again.

In other Celtic news, the club are in pole position to sign a £7million-valued ‘phenomenal’ 6ft 1in player.

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