Celtic’s £11 million target impresses in Champions League; Ancelotti hails him ‘excellent’

How the Celtic midfielder is able to flourish despite external noise thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s input

Paulo Bernardo

THIS has been a demanding season for Paulo Bernardo for a range of distinct reasons.

The Portuguese midfielder, who joined Celtic on a season-long loan from Benfica in his place of origin again in September, took some time to pressure his way into the Scottish champions’ first team.

Manager Brendan Rodgers only gave him an prolonged run when his membership mates Reo Hatate and Tomoki Iwata had been dominated out of motion via injuries.

Since organising himself as a normal starter, the 22-year-old has had to deal with severe media criticism of the Parkhead club’s performances as nicely as occasional unrest in the stands.

Yet, Bernardo is not, just like his legendary countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, the type of character to shy away from a challenge.

He grew up, like so many football-daft kids in his hometown and around the world, idolising the former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward.

But he continually marvelled at the determination that CR7 showed to attain and continue to be at the very pinnacle of the international game just as plenty as his technical ability, football intelligence and bodily prowess.

So Bernardo was never, having witnessed a child from an impoverished historical past in Madeira become one of the greatest footballers of all-time, going to let himself get downhearted by terrible comments from pundits or boos from the crowd.

“Ronaldo is honestly incredible,” he said. “Do I see him as a role model? Of course. It is his intellectual strength. He is like an idol to each and every player.

“We all seem up to him. It is possibly a bit much to count on to gain all the matters that he has finished and is still doing.

“But he is an notion to every player. He came from nothing and he succeeded and done so much. We continually look to him and try to do our exceptional as well.”

Bernardo, who endeared himself to Celtic followers substantially when he opened the scoring in the cinch Premiership win over Rangers at Parkhead in December, used to be delighted when Portugal had been drawn in the equal Nations League team as Scotland in Paris ultimate week.

Ronaldo, who has a world file 205 worldwide caps to his name, is 39 now and is plying his exchange at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Will he nevertheless be involved when the event receives underway in the autumn? His compatriot will not be in the slightest bit surprised if he is.

“It’s a very interesting draw with Portugal taking part in Scotland!” he said. “The boys haven’t said too much, but I am positive we will be talking about it nearer the time. It will be a excellent recreation to see.

“Will Ronaldo be playing? Probably yes! You in no way know. He’s 39 however he keeps going. I don’t be aware of if I will be taking part in at that age. I’ll need to look after my physique like he does.”

Bernardo, who acquitted himself admirably alongside his captain Callum McGregor in the Champions League team video games towards Atletico Madrid, Feyenoord and Lazio this term, has represented Portugal at each age-group stage and is currently a member of their under-21 squad alongside with Rangers striker Fabio Silva.

He appreciates that forcing his way into the senior team in future will be extraordinarily difficult. Manager Roberto Martinez can deploy the likes of Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, Ruben Neves of Al Hillal and Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain in his function at the moment. However, it is a exact long-term goal and drives him on every day in training and at some point of matches.

“It’s a very sturdy group of gamers coming thru with Portugal right now,” he said. “But I have always dreamt about taking part in for the national team. It is an ambition of mine and it is additionally a huge motivation to get to that stage and play for my country.”

Bernardo’s most important center of attention at the moment, though, is ensuring Celtic, who will be overtaken at the top of the Premiership tonight if their town rivals Rangers beat Ross County by way of three goals at Ibrox, maintain the Scottish title and Scottish Cup this season.

He helped the treble winners to win their challenging cup tie with St Mirren 2-0 in Paisley on Sunday and book their vicinity in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Gas-sponsored countrywide cup competition.

However, he is adamant they can perform even higher in the coming weeks and months and is determined to stay involved and help them do so. He burdened that no one in the squad is downbeat about their potentialities of touchdown silverware and playing a profitable 2023/24 campaign.

“We have a long season with ups and downs,” he said. “We simply have to stick together, the players, the coaches and the fans, hold going and preserve improving. We’ve had some injuries, however I suppose we are doing pretty well. We simply need to take our opportunities in the front of goal.

“We are doing some matters well and there are some things we want to improve. Sometimes we have wished two extra possibilities to score one purpose and that makes matters more difficult. We seem to be at the matters we are doing correct and also the matters that are now not so good.

“It’s always correct to play. The self belief tiers go high and we enhance a great deal extra in the video games than simply in training.”

Paul Lambert can’t help but laugh at the hysteria of the fans due to the “strange” Celtic crisis element