The young City winger hit the headlines with Chelsea’s Tammy Abrahams when the pair went head to head to claim the right to take a penalty against Japan at the Academy Stadium.
Roberts lost the contest, selecting a rock to Abrahams’ paper and the Chelsea teenager subsequently stepped up to take the spot-kick – but missed! Fortunately, England were already 3-1 up and went on to win 5-1, with Roberts scoring the fourth.
“I was a bit annoyed because I lost rock, paper, scissors for the penalty!” smiled Roberts.
“It’s probably not the usual to decide like that, but there isn’t a designated penalty taker in this team, so that was the best and fairest way to decide.
“I think he [Tammy Abraham] felt a bit guilty because he won and then didn’t score the pen, so he laid the ball back to me and I was able to slide it in.
“I thought my performance was good. It’s good to get more minutes under my belt, I thought I did well and I now want to carry that on for the rest of the season now, for City and England.
“We could have scored more – obviously could have scored the penalty as well – but Japan are a very good side who are very good technically as well so we knew it would be tough, but we stuck to our game-plan and five goals is good.”
Roberts also admitted it was a little different representing his country rather than his club at the Academy Stadium, adding: “It was a bit different because I’m used to putting on a blue shirt here rather than a white shirt.
“But it was the same really, I know the pitch and all the players are top quality so it was like playing with City players in terms of ability. Of course it’s always good to play on your home pitch, so it was a really good occasion.”
