What Neil Warnock said about Patrick Roberts' future as ex-Celtic man is compared to Cardiff City duo

Roberts joined Boro back in January and scored the winner, his first goal for the club, in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Reading.

It’s also still unclear if Warnock will stay at Boro next season, with a decision expected to be made at the end of the campaign.

Yet Warnock admitted last week he has held discussions with the club’s recruitment team when possible signings were discussed.

Many Boro fans would like to see Roberts re-signed next season, yet it remains unclear if another loan deal will be possible.

When asked about the chances of Roberts staying at the Riverside next term, Warnock compared the 23-year-old to Cardiff widemen Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Junior Hoilett who he managed in South Wales.

“I think his performance at Reading was excellent and we just have to see the situation with his club, I haven’t got a clue at the moment,” said Warnock when quizzed on Roberts’ future ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Cardiff.

“There’s quite a few things that I just want to put on hold until we see where we are.

“I like Patrick, I love players, like I say down at Cardiff Mendez and Junior, somebody that can just do something.

“I love wide players that are exciting and Patrick is like that, he makes me feel excited when he picks the ball up and I think you have to have one or two in your team.”

Roberts was deployed in a central position against Reading, where he created more chances for his team-mates operating just behind frontman Ashley Fletcher.

“He scored a good goal the other day but he was due one,” added Warnock. “He’s created quite a few chances in the games that he’s played but hasn’t been able to convert anything.

“I thought he looked better the other night, his game was a lot more confident and to top it off with the winning goal will have done him a world of good.”