Brendan Rodgers shares Jota and Paulo Bernardo Celtic insight with Portuguese broadcaster

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Brendan Rodgers is known for his man-management.

At Celtic, he has established a proven record of improving players, from Stuart Armstrong to Matt O’Riley to Daizen Maeda.

Maintaining a respectful relationship with his players is one of the ways that he does this. He gets to know his squad – so can give fascinating insight on their character.

Ahead of the Hoops’ Europa League meeting with Braga, he was quizzed by the Portuguese media on two of their youth internationals.

Jota and Paulo Bernardo are both popular among the Hoops support – Rodgers has discussed the pair, and the differences between them.

Brendan Rodgers on Paulo Bernardo and Jota

Bernardo and Jota both initially came to Celtic on loan from Benfica with options to buy which were eventually triggered. Both have also starred for Portugal Under-21s.

Both will surely have ambitions to make the senior squad like other graduates from the Benfica academy.

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Speaking to DAZN Portugal, Rodgers discussed the two Portuguese stars.

He said: “Both players have come in, and supporters really love them and have taken them to their hearts.

“Guys that are technically very strong, but two different types of players. Jota is obviously extremely gifted on the sides, sadly he’s injured for us which is a big big miss. But really gifted in the one-v-one, and can score goals.

“Paulo is a gifted player in central midfield, will work hard but also has technical qualities. Tactically he knows the game very very well.

“So both of those really improve our squad, and I’m very happy to work with them.”

Is the best still yet to come from Paulo Bernardo and Jota?

Jota was initially brought to Glasgow by Ange Postecoglou in 2021 – but after departing for the riches of Al-Ittihad two years later, he, like Bernardo, was brought to the club during Rodgers’ second Celtic spell.

But Jota had only started nine matches since his Parkhead return when a serious injury ruled him out for the rest of the year in May. If he can rediscover his fitness when he returns, there is no reason why he can’t hit even higher levels in a Celtic shirt.

For Bernardo, it feels like we are at a crucial moment. He is behind in the pecking order in Rodgers’ squad, and that will have to change if he is to get the most out of his future at the club.

The midfielder has shown in the past the difference he can make in a Celtic shirt, in big games. But he can only continue to show that if he’s on the pitch.