New signing Bernabei's hot-head must be managed

As we have now snared our favoured target for left-back to challenge and maybe even overthrow Greg Taylor, looking forward we all wonder just how Alexandro Bernabei will fit in at Celtic Park and the culture and climate that engulfs the Celtic ether. One would hope that he will have no trouble integrating and that his new teammates will go above and beyond to make the youngster feel welcome.

Supremely talented and with a generous pedigree, Alexandro will no doubt have the quality we have all craved since the days of Kieran Tierney – arguably Celtic’s second greatest full-back after the imperious Danny McGrain. However, like most South American players, or one could even argue culturally Latino players, he does appear to have a nippy and temperamental side to his character.

This was evidenced in his two-match ban just before he arrived on these shores from Argentina, as he headbutted an opponent as they both squared off after a challenge. Nothing wrong with a bit of bite by any stretch of the imagination; in fact, if anything I feel it’s something Ange’s current side lack despite the multitude of talent within the team.

But it does have to be curbed, otherwise you end up in soappy bubble.

I’m thinking of course when I say this, of the match on 3 September against our arch rivals. The second Ibrox club will arrive at Celtic Park on a Saturday in the first Glasgow Derby of next season and it promises to have fireworks as always when we clash. These are sometimes games when players lose the edge, their concentration goes and they do mad, uncharacteristically stupid things.

‘Play the game, not the occasion’ is always the mantra used by managers past and present. It is always a handy code to stick by – particularly in games versus the team[s]playing out of Ibrox, as things can tend to go Pete Tong if you let the adrenaline dictate your every move on the pitch. It has engulfed all before and always has the potential to wreack havoc on debutants to the fixture.

This will be a game I feel that young Alexandro Bernabei – if involved in – could potentially be a target for the opposition if they get wind of his previous misdemeanor in Argentina with Lanus. So, approach with caution would be my take on proceedings. Many a man before has fallen a foul of this derby match and there will be many more to come as long as it still exists.

As we have already seen, our first ever Argentinean has a temper on him. It is our job to regulate that sting in his game and ensure he uses it productively as we head into the new cinch Premiership league campaign.

First though, let’s see him play.