Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has made a definitive statement amid Celtic links to Patrick Roberts.

As we covered on Sunday, Roberts has once again leapt in to the Celtic consciousness amid a report that we could bid to re-sign him this summer.

Roberts has been spoken about as a potential signing for years now. However, his recent rise with Sunderland does seem to have made things seem more viable.

As reported by The Northern Echo, Mowbray wasn’t aware of the Hoops speculation. He did, however, definitively state that the

Englishman wouldn’t be leaving for Glasgow this month.

“Definitely 100%,” the former Celtic boss said when asked if Roberts would be staying put.

“He’s just had a nice new haircut. He’s as happy as a sandboy.

“That’s news to me, there’s people interested in Patrick is there? That’s not a concern at all to me.

“Patrick is in the right place, he’s rebuilding a career back to the level where I feel as if we can get him to and I hope he enjoys the

freedom he’s being given to attack and not to worry about losing the ball every now and then.

“When he eliminates people, two or three or four, and we score it’s amazing to see. I don’t think there’s an issue with Patrick.”

Roberts’ deal at Sunderland is due to expire at the end of this season so we can probably look forward to more rumours in January and beyond.

The former Manchester City and Fulham man is now 26-years-old. It’s great that he’s managed to re-find some form after a tough few

years, and even more pleasing that he’s done it under a former Celtic player and manager.

Sunderland finished sixth in the Championship last season, missing out on promotion in the playoffs. They have work to do to match

that this season after making a poor start to the season — winning one and losing two of their opening three matches.