Paulo Bernardo had to wait his turn on MatchDay One. Heading to Dortmund, he’s doing everything to be in the front of the queue this time around.
Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that everyone is part of this power-packed Celtic unit. But, clearly, all players want the starting nod. Bernardo didn’t get first call against Slovan Bratislava with Reo Hatate chosen alongside Callum McGrgeor and Arne Engels. Rodgers’ decision was bang on and could not be debated. His team hammered five goals and his engine-room starters were outstanding.
Bernardo played his part that night with a cameo role off the bench, but going out to Germany, he has seriously forwarded a compelling case to move up the chain. Of course, St Johnstone are not Borussia Dortmund, who will pose a far-stiffer examination. But Bernardo was scintillating against the Perth side. Chosen ahead of Hatate, every aspect of the game was on point.
Naturally, the 22-year-old caught attention with the stylish finish to cap his team’s simply breathtaking second goal, especially given he’d also been part of the astounding nine-man, 11-pass build-up. Bernardo was also right there to head a third if Kyogo hadn’t beaten him to Greg Taylor’s cross and his own in-perfect delivery for Daizen Maeda’s bullet-header fifth after a driving forward run was another piece of class.
He stamped his quality offensively, grafted relentlessly and then showed his versatility by slotting back to anchor in the closing stages with McGregor taken off. The skipper and Engels are surely nailed-on Dortmund starters and that leaves the choice between Bernardo and Hatate. It can’t be an easy one. The thought of Hatate, with his wizardly talents, not starting in a Champions League crunch if fit says everything about the squad power. This is exactly what Rodgers wanted, exactly why he’s building a unit with depth and genuine quality.
It can only be a tight decision. Hatate can make magic, yet some will argue that Bernardo takes more care of the ball in his own half, a crucial trait away from home against top Euro opposition.
Although midfield looks like the tightest call, Rodgers had more choices to make. In attack, Kyogo is right on the mood with his lively performance and expert finishing in Perth. The Japanese’s speed and clinical edge got him his first and sharp movement coupled with a precise header after another sweeping team-move doubled his own tally.
Kyogo scores in big games. He did it against Rangers and Bratislava and looks the safest bet, yet Adam Idah’s ready and offers other strengths. Perhaps a better option to hold it up if Celtic need to get out, he’s also finding the net. Idah has four in three games, including one against Slovan, and his finish for goal six here capped an exquisite move and back-flick assist by Alex Valle.
Defensively, Rodgers’ hand may be forced. With Cameron Carter- Vickers toiling, Auston Trusty secured a valuable 90 minutes and looked powerful. The American felt his way into things against Falkirk the previous week and this was a huge step up in solidity. Trusty was strong and displayed pace to thwart Makenzie Kirk in the opening stages. He moved it well, even on his wrong side playing on the right of Liam Scales, was highly unfortunate to have a foul called against him when Maeda hit the net as he looked a threat in the opposing box and he also stepped out the backline to hit a dipping volley just wide. Valle was also given the second period in place of Taylor as the manager got more valuable minutes into the young left-back and his run and lay-off at the sumptuous sixth goal was jaw dropping.
Taylor’s calf will be assessed for Dortmund, but Alistair Johnston is ready and Kasper Schmeichel chalked up a club-record-equalling sixth-straight clean sheet to start the Premiership term. Right now, Celtic have players in every area who are on fire, none more so than Nicolas Kuhn. He’s openly targeting a place in Germany’s full national squad and as the perfect opportunity to show himself on home soil.
Kuhn was terrific again in Perth as he teased and tormented. His roles in goals, especially the third, were sublime and he’s giving Rodgers that demanded off-ball output.
Maeda got his deserved counter with that fabulous header from Bernardo’s ball, yet the manager was just as delighted with a typically selfless backtracking run in the final seconds. Kuhn is following that lead. With an hour on the clock, he also chased back 60 yards to cover a run and, at this moment, he’s got all aspects.
McGregor is just imperious and additional goals are a welcome bonus. Four times this term the skipper has successfully taken aim from the edge of the box. Rodgers is encouraging him to get into the position.s and he is reaping the rewards having doubled last season’s personal total already. Such is the power in reserve, the boss knows he’s got real talent available if he needs to make. changes.
Luke McCowan cracked a post having just created the sixth with an impish lobbed pass into Valle with screamed imagination and touch of a boy who has already fully settled. James Forrest is looking sharp and having that back-up is vital. But, in the end, only 11 get to start and, squad-game or not, individuals want that call. Rodgers demanded a Champions League performance in Perth and now it’s onto the real thing. Celtic could barely be going into it in better form. And Bernardo is amongst those flying the highest.