Bernardo breakthrough
Celtic youngster lights up Parkhead with Old Firm firecracker
IT was a strike that broke the derby-day ice — and also felt like a truly breakthrough moment in the Celtic career of Paulo Bernardo.
Selected to start his first Old Firm game, the Portuguese midfielder was a hive of industry as the Premiership leaders established their two-goal lead over Rangers and, as Brendan Rodgers later conceded, the team lost much of its conviction after his substitution in the 71st minute.
Bernardo had been building to this moment. A sporadic contributor since completing his initial loan move from Benfica, the 21year-old had started the previous two games and notched his first goal for the club in the win over Dundee on St Stephen’s Day.
If that Dens Park moment was a scrappy affair, the shot that beat Jack Butland was a veritable missile, one that raised the roof at Parkhead and provided the platform for a memorable win, sealed by Kyogo Furuhashi’s stunning strike.
‘It’s probably my best day as a Celtic player so far,’ he said later.
‘When the ball came to me I just remember shooting. I always believe I can score a goal and my mindset is always to help the team. When I scored, the crowd went crazy.’
Bernardo ran to the corner hosting the Green Brigade faction of the support and, after disappearing into a moving swell of fans, was booked by Nick Walsh for over-exuberance.
His continued endeavour threatened to spill over after half-time as he was substituted soon after committing a foul on Connor Goldson that might have tempted the referee to reach for another card.
‘I was just trying to protect the team, really,’ said Rodgers of his decision to bring on David Turnbull. ‘Obviously Paulo played during the week and when he has played that third game in a week he can get a bit leggy as he is not a seasoned professional.
‘But I was also worried that there were maybe a couple of challenges where he might have got sent off and I didn’t want to go down to ten men.
‘For a young player he was very good. And maybe we lost a little bit when he went off.’
Bernardo’s goal came from a Celtic corner, only half cleared by Rangers forward Abdallah Sima.
‘We had a corner worked that didn’t pan out because of Rangers’ organisation,’ revealed Rodgers.
‘But we adapted well. Paulo has shown in training that he strikes it really well so it is brilliant for him and a great moment on the back of getting his first goal in midweek.’
Bernardo was not the only Celtic player to shine.
As important as his vigour was to Celtic’s midfield play, tucked in behind him was the ever-dependable and equally-industrious Callum McGregor.
Celtic had to withstand some late anxiety as James Tavernier converted an 88th-minute free-kick but it was McGregor who kept the team’s head’s up with another captain’s performance.
Rodgers could barely contain his glee at McGregor’s efforts. He added: ‘What an amazing player. Wow. You can be so proud of that kid. I have seen two versions of him.
‘When I was first here I saw him grow and develop into a really important player for me. He was a player I would have taken anywhere when I left, he was so good. To be able to come back and have him as my captain, I am very, very lucky.
‘He is just an absolutely brilliant player, on a different level – with the greatest of respect – to everyone else on the pitch.
‘His view of the game, his quality, when to slow the game, when to pick up the tempo. He’s absolutely brilliant. I am so happy for him because it is so important as the Celtic captain in these games to perform and he has done that now in the two games we’ve had against Rangers.
‘Thankfully, people now recognise his level. I think he is very much appreciated by the supporters and certainly by his team-mates – and obviously me as a manager. It is amazing to have him.’
Celtic have one more fixture before the winter shutdown, a trip to Paisley to face St Mirren on Tuesday. Reo Hatate, who made the bench for yesterday’s game, may be in line to make an appearance, while Maik Nawrocki could make his first start since August.
Signed from Legia Warsaw for £4milllion in the summer, Nawrocki was been dogged by injury but was pressed into service in the first half after Stephen Welsh succumbed to a shoulder problem.
With Cameron Carter-Vickers also absent, it’s likely the Pole will come in alongside Liam Scales.
‘Maik has been unfortunate not to have played a bit earlier,’ added Rodgers. ‘He has picked up little niggles on his way back.
‘Today shows every faith that I have in him. I thought he was good when he came in. A couple of moments when he maybe jumped in a wee bit but that is just about getting his timing back.
‘He passed it well and he is aggressive. He is going to be important for us in the second part of the season.
‘I felt we deserved to win the game. The only downside for me was when we played 11 v 10. ‘Normally teams would be a bit more controlled than that, the positioning better. Maybe that was the young players getting a wee bit hyped with the game,’ added Rodgers.
Bernardo in particular will be forgiven that aberration.
Paulo has shown in training that he strikes it really well