Aberdeen’s £100,000 capture of Callum Roberts could be the bargain signing in Scotland this summer, insists the winger’s former manager.
Newcastle United legend Lee Clark managed Roberts twice – at Kilmarnock during a loan spell and then Blyth Spartans.
The 25-year-old is Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin’s eighth signing of an extensive summer rebuild that has already cost in excess of £1 million in transfer fees.
Roberts signed a three-year contract at Pittodrie from National League club Notts County.
Possessing a “thunderous left foot shot”, Clark is confident Roberts can hit the goal trail for the Dons and also pitch in with assists from the right wing or No. 10 position.
Clark reckons Aberdeen have pulled off the transfer coup of the summer to land a player whose career is on a rapid upwards trajectory.
And he has backed the former Newcastle winger to rip up the Premiership this season and spearhead a bid to compete with Celtic and Rangers.
Clark, 49, said: “If Callum continues his form this could be the bargain of the season.
“His career in the last few years has been on an upwards trajectory.
“Everything is falling into place for Callum and hopefully he can show Aberdeen fans what he is about.
“Callum will be a big asset for Aberdeen and will help the club get back to the level it should be competing at.
“It is great he is at a club of Aberdeen’s size that is looking to get back to challenge the Old Firm again.
“There is no reason why Callum can’t kick on at Aberdeen, impress and get clubs from other levels calling about him.
“If he does it can only be good for Aberdeen as it means he is helping the team do well.”
Newcastle debut under Rafa Benitez
Roberts goes straight into the squad for the Premiership opener against champions Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday.
Newcastle legend Clark, who played more than 200 times for the Premier League club, has known Roberts since he was in the Magpies’ Youth Academy.
So highly rated was Roberts at Newcastle he was known as the ‘Geordie Messi’.
Whilst manager of Kilmarnock, Clark took Roberts on loan from Newcastle for the second half of the 2017-18 campaign.
Roberts made two appearances for Newcastle in the FA Cup against Leicester City (1-0 loss) and Blackburn Rovers.
An unbelievable feeling to sign for this great club, cant wait to get going 🔴⚪️ @AberdeenFC pic.twitter.com/yBYPsV6WQf
— Cal Roberts (@Calroberts_) July 25, 2022
He was handed a full Newcastle debut by Rafael Benitez in January 2019 and repaid that faith with a goal in a 4-2 FA Cup defeat of Blackburn.
However at the end of the 2018-19 season Newcastle released the playmaker.
Without a club, Clark was shocked to see such a talent effectively on the “scrapheap” following his exit from Newcastle.
‘A million miles’ ahead in division
Clark moved to take him to Blyth Spartans in National League North.
It offered a lifeline for the talented winger, and he grabbed it.
🎯 Which of these Callum Roberts' goals from Saturday was your favourite? Vote below 👇
Full match highlights available here: https://t.co/Q3ueSxXgF7#HowayBlyth pic.twitter.com/27Mx8oUkXo
— Blyth Spartans (@Blyth_Spartans) September 30, 2019
Clark explained: “I have known Callum from his time at Newcastle and always knew he was a great player.
“When I was at Blyth and he was without a club, which was a surprise, it was a no-brainer to get him.
“I said to Callum at the time he would smash it in that league and get the chance to get his career up and running again.
“He did. Callum was outstanding and scored 17 goals in 22 games. He was magnificent.
“If he wasn’t scoring goals, he was making goals.
“His goals and assists return for the amount of games he played was phenomenal.
“It just showed he was far too good for that level of football.
“He got the move to Notts County higher up the pyramid and continued to score and make goals.”
‘A million miles’ ahead of division
Clark says he was a “million miles” ahead of any other player in the National League North.
Such was Roberts sensational form Notts County moved to sign the winger in January 2020.
In his first full season with Notts County, Roberts’ 16 goals were fundamental in progressing to the Conference Play-offs last term.
Notts County lost 2-1 to Grimsby.
Clark said: “After leaving Newcastle I was surprised that a player of Callum’s quality was basically on the scrapheap.
“He couldn’t find a club and people weren’t giving him the opportunity to showcase his ability.
“He trusted me and knew what I’m about.
“I knew what Callum could do and that he would be far too good for the level at Blyth.
“It proved to be that way.
“We only had him for three months and he was outstanding, far too good.
“Callum was the best player in the league by a million miles.
“The time he was out of the game probably gave him a bit of a reality check which he has taken on board.
“Since he has returned he has used that as a springboard to get back to the highest level.
“It is a great move for both sides as there is massive ambition from Callum and Aberdeen.
“He has to keep that hunger.”
‘Thunderbolt’ shot on left foot
Roberts was regarded by many as the best player in the National League during his 18 months at Notts County.
Clark insists the Dons have signed an exciting playmaker who will make and score goals from wide right or through the middle.
He said: “Callum has a thunderbolt of a left foot and can really smack a ball.
“As well as being able to hit shots from 25 to 30 yards he can also dribble past people inside on the left.
“Callum likes to go past people and when he pulls the trigger has a thunderous shot.
“He has terrific ability on his left.
“Callum can play as a No. 10 and is very creative so he can go either side.
“He is a strong boy who has a change of pace, so can play either of those two positions.
“You can also play Callum on the left but you are restricting him because he will really just be going on the outside to put crosses in.
“He will still make goals that way.
“But I think either the right hand side coming in on his left or the No. 10 role are where you will see the best of him.
“He likes to play on the right by coming in on his left.”
Roberts’ career on the rise
Clark is not only glowing in his praise of Roberts’ footballing abilities.
He insists the versatile attacker is also a strong character and a fighter.
Being released by home city club Newcastle, after more than a decade, and struggling to find a new team could have broken many players.
Not Roberts who has resurrected his career and is on the ascendance.
Clark said: “He is a fighter. A strong, offensive player.
“Callum needs the belief of the manager.
“As an offensive player he will be doing things in the final third of the pitch and there will be times when it is not going to happen for him.
“You take risks with the ball.
“He had that belief at Notts County and I gave him that belief because I know what his strengths are.
“Callum is willing to work hard defensively for the team but you want what he has going forward which is making and scoring numerous goals.”
Stop it, @Calroberts_ 👀 pic.twitter.com/yCVbnsm284
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) July 11, 2022
Experience in Scotland important
There will be no surprises for new signing Roberts at Parkhead on Sunday.
The winger started for Kilmarnock in a 3-1 defeat away to Celtic in April 2017.
Clark reckons previous experience of the Scottish Premiership will be key.
He said: “That time at Kilmarnock will help Callum a lot.
“Obviously the league changes over the years.
“But what hasn’t changed is the speed of the Scottish Premiership and the type of players he will come up against.
“Players who will give everything every week. Never say die attitude and work extremely hard.
“He will know he will have to work extremely hard to be at his best.”
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