Brendan Rodgers urged by baffled ex-Celtic striker to rest key duo and give Paulo Bernardo a chance

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Frank McAvennie can’t understand why Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo is hardly ever on the pitch at the moment.

Bernardo has played in just two games for the Hoops so far this season, one a substitute appearance against Falkirk and the other a start versus Livingston.

Brendan Rodgers hinted in August that Bernardo would be utilised more when the Europa League starts, but effectively confirmed the Portuguese outcast is his sixth choice midfielder.

Rodgers prefers a midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren at the moment, with the likes of Luke McCowan and Arne Engels just behind.

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Frank McAvennie bewildered that Celtic’s Bernardo doesn’t play

But McAvennie thinks McGregor and Hatate need more rest, which would allow Bernardo more minutes on the pitch for the Bhoys.

Speaking on his Let Me Be Frank Podcast, the former Celtic ace said: “I think in the midfield, Hatate, McGregor and whoever else plays in there, it could be McCowan – I think they (Celtic) need to change that up.

“I think Bernardo – I just don’t understand why he isn’t playing. I don’t get it, I honestly don’t get it. CalMac should get a couple of games’ rest, tell him to go on holiday.

“(Get) Hatate rested. I’m talking about resting them all. Just because he’s (McGregor) the captain, he’s still got to get rested the same as everyone else.”

Is Bernardo in the Europa League squad?

Despite playing just 71 minutes of football so far this season for Celtic, Bernardo has been included in the Europa League squad.

Here is a reminder of the full selection made by Rodgers, with the first league phase fixture against Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday, September 24:

Goalkeepers

• Kasper Schmeichel
• Viljami Sinisalo
• Ross Doohan

Defenders

• Alistair Johnston
• Liam Scales
• Auston Trusty
• Cameron Carter-Vickers
• Marcelo Saracchi
• Dane Murray
• Kieran Tierney
• Anthony Ralston

Midfielders

• Reo Hatate
• Luke McCowan
• Callum McGregor
• James Forrest
• Arne Engels
• Paulo Bernardo
• Hyunjun Yang

Attackers

• Benjamin Nygren
• Sebastian Tounekti
• Johnny Kenny
• Kelechi Iheanacho
• Michel-Ange Balikwisha
• Daizen Maeda