Paulo Bernardo’s best ever Celtic performance

Paul Bernardo has given Brendan a major team selection dilemma for Tuesday night and might just have earned himself a place in the Celtic starting XI against Dortmund…

St Johnstone v Celtic – Callum McGregor celebrates after scoring our fourth goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at McDiarmid Park, Perth on Saturday September 28, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Paulo Bernardo had a terrific game yesterday evening in the 6-0 thumping of St Johnstone. The Portuguese under 21 skipper fired in a great second goal while providing an assist for Daizen Maeda for the fifth, to cap a splendid all round performance.

Reo Hatate was the man who made way for Paulo, and I’m sure it was because Brendan had him in mind for a starting role on Tuesday night, but after Paulo’s starring role in Perth it will have given the Irishman some much needed food for thought.

Reo is an incredibly talented player, and has the ability to open up the best defences, but Paulo also brings an added dimension to our midfield with his constant energy and drive, and his eye for goal. Notably Sandman gave Paulo his coveted Man of the Match award in his Definitive Rating after yesterday’s splendid all round performance.

Paulo Bernardo celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 0-2 lead. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth,  28 September 2024 Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Arne Engels and Callum McGregor are one hundred percent nailed on starters, so it’s between Paulo and Reo for that other midfield spot.

It’s certainly a tough one to call, one that I’m sure Brendan had nailed down before yesterday’s game, but perhaps Paulo has thrown a spanner in the works if the manager’s plan was to start Reo. Or was yesterday’s starting XI the same team that will kick-off against Dortmund? If Cameron Carter-Vickers isn’t fit then that is likely to be the way things work out.

Brendan is the boss and it’s his decision at the end of the day. That’s why he gets paid the big bucks after all, money incidentally that’s well spent. It might be a dilemma, but a good one to have as it further proves the strength of our current squad.

Paulo Bernardo’s performance yesterday against St Johnstone might have made Brendan’s mind up for him. We shall see.

READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Amish Country

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

3 Comments

  1. If Rodgers decision is going to be based upon current form and consistency levels, then the decision between Paulo and Hatate is a non contest at present imo?
    Hatate is still a fantastic player, and just going through bit of a struggle period regarding his consistency levels, and maybe trying to hard to make things happen for himself also?
    Yet Hatate missed so much of last season also, and currently going through a period at present, that so many of our established players went through last season?
    So wouldn’t class it as an issue for any great concern, and having competition for starting positions throughout the whole team, is proving to be successful at present, and hopefully it continues in such a manner?
    But a little loss of form, doesn’t turn a classy player into a poor player either?
    And Hatate certainly isn’t a poor player by any means, and still more than capable of remaining a star player within our team also?
    Even though I still suspect that this season could be the last Hatate has with ourselves, he still has so much to offer ourselves also imo?

  2. I feel Bernardo still offers a touch more defensively and away from home should start, with Hatate offering the fresh legs and goal threat that will no doubt be needed in the final 20 mins.
    Let’s not forget Reo isn’t having a bad season, far from it. He’s just part of a fantastic midfield 4 right now, and how lucky are we to have them.

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