Rampant Roberts On The Goal Trail

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Goalscoring hero Callum Roberts believes he is making up for lost time, after firing Newcastle United into the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Football Club Citibank Soccer Sevens.

The teenage forward netted three times in as many appearances as the Magpies progressed as Group A winners at the end of the first day's action.

Injury ruled Roberts out of last year's tournament, but the 18-year-old has finally made his mark on the Happy Valley-based competition, even if it was 12 months later than he hoped.

"I'm really happy," Roberts told nufc.co.uk about Saturday's results, which saw victories over Singapore Cricket Club and Leicester City, and a draw with BC Rangers.

"We had a couple of good wins and could have won all three games but had to settle for a draw in the second match. But overall it was a good day.

"I've scored a few goals throughout the season for the under-21s and was confident I could come here and get a few more.

"I've got three already and now want to do the same on Sunday and hopefully my goals will help us get to the final.

"This style of football suits me. I like getting defenders in one-against-one situations, and this is perfect for that. You are in those scenarios all the time, you have space to get into and there are plenty of chances.

"I didn't come last year because of injury but now I'm finally out here I'm really enjoying it and doing what I should have been doing back then.

"But the most important thing is the team and our success as a group. We wanted to top the group. We wanted to come into this to show people what we can do and try to get as far as we can in the tournament. That is our aim."

For unrivalled coverage of the final day of the Hong Kong Football Club Citibank Soccer Sevens, including photos, reports, highlights and reaction, stay logged on to nufc.co.uk throughout Sunday.

PHOTO: Power Sport Images For HKFC