Alexandro Bernabei has had a varied start to his Celtic career. Having spent most of his time playing second fiddle to Greg Taylor, the arrival of a new manager should have given the young full-back an opportunity to stake his claim as a first-team regular.
By all accounts, Bernabei did impress during pre-season, especially in Celtic’s tour of Japan but he quickly found himself in bother with Brendan Rodgers prior to the opening day game of the season against Ross County.
The Argentinian was dropped from the matchday squad after sleeping in for a team meeting and former Celtic striker, Chris Sutton, has slammed the full-back for his lack of discipline.
Sutton said [Daily Record print edition 12/8 page 65], “Being late for a team meeting is simply a no-go. It’s unacceptable. Bernabei has done himself no favours and Rodgers is bang on to set a strict example. There are standards and there is discipline which must be adhered to.
“Marcus Rashford didn’t get away with it last season at Manchester United. He overslept and missed a team meeting before a game against Wolves and Erik Ten Hag fired him straight onto the bench.
“I’ve been there. Everyone knows the ground rules. There would have to be a seriously valid reason for being late and, if not, out you go. This type of thing does not sit well with other players.
“What is Bernabei thinking? For someone who should be working his socks off to impress a new boss, that is an appalling mistake to make.
“You can serve your punishment and the matter be put to bed but it won’t be forgotten. Bernabei has not been clever and it won’t have done his chances with Rodgers much good.”
Of course, we are all not privy to the conversation between the Celtic manager and Bernabei after the Hoops players’ disciplinary misdemeanour. But it is fair to say that whilst it did seem that all was well during Celtic’s training session prior to the visit to Aberdeen, Bernabei’s indiscipline will always be at the back of Rodgers’ mind from now on.
Bernabei needs to get his head down and prove that he is worthy of being part of Rodgers’ plans moving forward. With a full season at Celtic under his belt, he needs to show that he can properly challenge Greg Taylor for that left full-back spot.
Bought for £3.75m, Celtic have put a hefty financial investment into the Argentinian. He has the potential to be a success at the club. It’s time he starts to pay that back or he could find himself surplus to requirements and his Parkhead career heading to a premature end.
In other news, Michael Stewart spells out why Brendan Rodgers’ return to Celtic is bad news for Rangers
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