With Ronaldo and Paulo Bernardo in tow, Paulo Bernardo believes his rising Celtic form can fulfill Portugal’s “dream.”

The Hoops ace was thrilled to see Scotland come out of the Nations League hat with his place of birth and he now has a big target

Paulo Bernardo insists no one have to guess against Cristiano Ronaldo running out at Hampden in the Nations League later this year.

Cristiano Ronaldo

And Celtic’s Portuguese playmaker admits it’s his large dream to be alongside his idol. Bernardo admitted he was once buzzing at ultimate week’s draw when his domestic united states came out of the hat alongside his adopted nation. The borrowed Benfica midfielder has nonetheless to decide on his long term future past this season’s loan deal however there’s each and every hazard he ought to nevertheless be at Parkhead.

The Hoops have a £6m option to purchase the 22-year-old outright and his performances in latest months have persuaded masses of fans he’s well worth the outlay. Bernardo will have a most important say but while he’s nevertheless undecided if he’ll be in Scotland – he is convinced Ronaldo will be. The Portugal legend may additionally have became 39-year-old this month and is currently topping up his bumper pension in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr.

But his patriotic fires nevertheless burn brightly and Bernardo wouldn’t be amazed if the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United celeb is still doing the commercial enterprise beyond this summer’s Euros. The Hoops man admitted he worships Ronaldo – as does every different younger player coming through in his domestic land. And Bernardo said: “It’s a very fascinating draw with Portugal taking part in Scotland!

“The boys haven’t stated too tons however I am positive we will be speakme about it nearer the time. It will be a great game to see. Will Ronaldo be playing? Probably yes!. You never know. He’s 39 now but he keeps going.

“I don’t be aware of if I will be playing at that age. I’ll need to appear after my physique like he does. But it is not just that. It is his mental strength. He is genuinely incredible. Do I see him as a role model? Of course. He is like an idol to every player.

“We all look up to him. It’s a perhaps bit plenty to assume to obtain all the matters that he has accomplished and is nevertheless doing. But he is an thought to each player. He came from nothing and he succeeded and carried out so much. We continually seem to him and strive to do our best as well.”

Bernardo is part of a new technology of Portuguese stars having been a large shot in the Benfica early life set up and playing a predominant position in his county’s childhood set up. The midfielder has 21 caps at beneath 21 level – with six desires – and emerged alongside emerging globals stars such as Goncalo Ramas at PSG and Barca wiseman Joao Felix and Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves.

Bernardo admitted it’s his massive dream to make the step forward to the senior facet and play his part in an thrilling next stage for his country wide side. The teenager is determined to produce the items in the 2nd 1/2 of the season and stake his declare for the worldwide set up.

He is aware of starring for Celtic would be no barrier with former Celtic hero Jota managing to make the long listing for the World Cup in Qatar when he used to be with the Hoops – solely to pass over the remaining cut and then glide from the set-up following his move to the Middle East. But Bernardo said: “It’s a vey sturdy group of gamers coming thru with Portugal right now. I have always dreamt about taking part in for the national team. It is ambition of mine – and it is also a huge motivation to get to that stage and play for my country.”

Paulo Bernardo

Bernardo’s on the spot purpose is to keep the Celtic show on the road. The Hoops secured their vicinity in the Scottish Cup closing eight at the weekend with the win at St Mirren. On the heels of the last-gasp victory at Hibs last week, some of the latest doom and gloom has started out to lift.

Celtic may additionally not have been at their swashbuckling exceptional however they are 9 matched unbeaten – with eight wins – and nonetheless in the hunt to land a league and up double. Bernardo is convinced there is extra to come with key men coming returned from injury. But he admitted Celts ought to make life easier on themselves if they should be extra clinical.

He said: “We have a long season with ups and downs. We just have to stick together, the players, the coaches and the fans, to maintain going and maintain improving. We’ve had some accidents however I suppose we are doing quite well. We simply need to take our possibilities in front of goal.

“Goals help, however we are doing some things nicely and there are some things we want to improve. Sometimes we have needed two more possibilities to rating one purpose and that makes things extra difficult. We look at the matters we are doing proper and additionally the matters that are now not so good.”

Bernardo dropped to the bench in Paisley after being sacrificed for Kyogo playing in a deeper role. The playmaker came on to assist the Hoops over the line and he’s completely satisfied to muck in regardless.

Ronaldo and the Nations League can wait as he said: “It’s always excellent to play. The self belief degrees go excessive and we Improve a great deal greater in the video games than simply in training. If I preserve creating my game, that will make things easier for me in the future as well. I sense I am improving a lot here. All of my center of attention is on the now.”

Liel Abada posted on social media 24 hours after Celtic’s absence