Barry Ferguson delivers his honest thoughts on Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo 

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Barry Ferguson has lauded on-loan Benfica star Paulo Bernardo for his performances for Celtic recently.

The 22-year-old is starting to come into his own under Brendan Rodgers and has benefited from Reo Hatate’s injury.

Just like Liam Scales did at the start of the season, Paulo Bernardo has taken his chance in Celtic’s midfield and now Barry Ferguson thinks ‘he is going to be hard to get out of that midfield’, as he told Go Radio.

Whilst Reo Hatate is out of the treatment room, he is now on international duty and representing Japan at the Asian Cup games.

That allows Paulo Bernardo to continue earning starts and showcasing why Brendan Rodgers should push to buy him permanently in the summer.

The option is there for Celtic and, if he continues down this current road, then there is no reason why he shouldn’t be at Parkhead next season.

What has been even more impressive about the youngster is the goals he has been adding to his game, including that opener during the win over Rangers.

All of it has resulted in the rising Celtic star becoming a popular figure with the fans and earning even more plaudits for his performances.

Paulo Bernardo’s performances

“I think he has kicked on since that Dens Park game,” said Ferguson. “He is looking the part.

“Correct me if I wrong, Brendan Rodgers has spoken about it, it was a case of when he first came into the club, he would break him in slowly and then eventually he would make his mark and make it into that starting XI. 

“He is going to be hard to get out of that midfield, that’s for sure, because he has come up with some important goals. He can handle the ball. He is a good football player. Also looks a decent size. He can play the game, no doubt about it.

“The last month he has been one of Celtic’s top performers. It has taken him a bit of time to settle. He has the attributes. He can pass it and has a good first touch. And he is a goalscorer.”

Celtic’s midfield

When the crunch moments of the season arrive, Rodgers is going to need places, across the pitch, being hardly fought.

And when Hatate comes back to Glasgow, you are going to imagine he will want his starting place back.

What’s amazing, from Celtic’s perspective, is that he does deserve to start and probably will because, on his day, he is probably the best player at the club.

With Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor being the other two in the middle of the park, then it might just be a case of Bernardo dropping to the bench, which just further boosts the club’s squad depth.