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…
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.
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
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?