Patrick Roberts' 18-month at Celtic is almost up, with the player due to return to Manchester City in the summer as things stand.

As The Scottish Sun report, though, Brendan Rodgers is keen to keep the winger at Celtic Park for a little bit longer to help the youngster blossom further into a player ready for Premier League football and so the Bhoys retain an excellent option on the wings without having to shell out money.

While it may only be a loan extension Rodgers is looking to agree with City, we reckon that the Hoops should be looking to do a deal that takes Roberts to Celtic Park on a regular basis.

The19-year-oldd is a popular figure at Paradise, with fans taking to his flair, ability and the excitement he brings to a football match when in possession.

If a deal could be done to take him to Celtic Park on a permanent basis, we're sure it would be welcomed by supporters.

Here are THREE reasons why Rodgers should considering shelling out for the youngster...

He'll be reaching his potential soon

The staff at Celtic Park have put a lot of work into the development of Patrick Roberts over the last 12 months. First under Ronny Deila and now Brendan Rodgers, Roberts has worked under some of the best coaches in the UK honing his skills as an exciting young winger.

The Bhoys have invested time and effort, so it only makes sense for them to try and reap the benefits of that.

Roberts will be coming into his own as a player in the short-term as he racks up the professional appearances, gets stronger physically and figures out how to beat opposition defences more regularly.

Investing money into the player only makes sense after all that. If Celtic can get a deal done for the winger, they will have a player with frightening potential in a place where he's happy and enjoying his football.

He has Champions League potential

Patrick Roberts showed against his parent club that he has the ability to be an effective Champions League footballer. The Bhoys are looking to take the next step on the continent and players like Roberts that will allow that to happen.

Celtic need players that can compete at Premier League level to become competitive in the group stages of the competition and should put the significant sum of money earned by this year's European journey back into the squad.

Roberts has shown in his first experience of club football's biggest challenge that he can step up and produce magic on the night. He's a born match-winner that is only going to go on to better things.

First-team football doesn't look to be on the cards at Man City so Celtic are in a unique position of being able to offer him that, experience at the highest level and the chance of silverware. All of these things should be attractive to an ambitious 19-year-old.

He has a unique cutting edge

Patrick Roberts can do things with the ball that most players at Celtic can't. Possessing devilish trickery, he can go by a man with ease on his day to set-up chances or score himself.

The young winger has scored ten goals for the Hoops in all competitions despite rarely getting an extended run in the team, so Celtic are just scratching the surface of his potential right now.

With defences in Scotland often deep and compact, Celtic need a different option, a cutting edge that can do the unexpected.

Roberts certainly offers that.