Paulo Bernardo is expected to be handed a starting role in this weekend’s Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park, with Reo Hatate ruled out through injury.
The Japanese midfielder was seen in a knee brace and on crutches during Celtic’s trophy day celebrations and again at Glasgow Airport on Monday.
Bernardo, who has played a role from off the bench for much of the campaign, looks set to step into a key position just as he did in last season’s dramatic Hampden victory over Rangers. That day, his long-range strike forced a parry from Jack Butland, allowing Adam Idah to pounce and fire Celtic to a 1-0 win and a domestic double.
That moment was pivotal for the Portuguese midfielder, and teammate Adam Idah has no doubts about Bernardo’s ability to rise to the occasion again.
“Paulo’s been brilliant,” said Idah to the Herald. “I’ve said it to anyone who asks me – Paulo’s one of the best players in the squad. He’s technically unbelievable. You see it in training week in, week out. He’s a fantastic player.
“But at the same time, no matter who’s behind me or who’s there in the team, I think I’ve got as much confidence in everyone because we’ve got such a fantastic squad. Anyone who’s playing on the park, I trust and I believe they can create stuff.”
Bernardo’s ability to glide between the lines and link play in the final third could be crucial for Brendan Rodgers, who’ll be without one of his most trusted midfielders in Hatate. The stage is now set for Bernardo to step up and help deliver Celtic’s latest piece of silverware.
Celtic are chasing their sixth treble in nine years, a brilliant achievement if they pull it off.
