Peter Grant believes ‘outstanding’ Celtic player has been underappreciated this season

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The great thing about Celtic’s form this season is that there are a number of players who have shone on the first eight games.

Callum McGregor has added goals to his game, Daizen Maeda has kicked on to another level and Nicolas Kuhn just looks like a new player with his incredible start to the season.

However, Peter Grant has named a player he believes is underappreciated at Celtic after being dropped to the bench in the last two games before the Falkirk win.

Paulo Bernardo’s ‘all-round play’ is understated at Celtic

Paulo Bernardo made the permanent switch to Celtic after having a huge influence on the double-winning season last year.

A regular starter after the departure of Matt O’Riley to Brighton, the Portuguese is now playing second fiddle to £11m man, Arne Engels.

And Grant reckons that what Bernardo offers to the Celtic team has been ‘understated’ this season.

Grant told The Go Radio Football Show, “Bernardo I thought was excellent again [against Falkirk].

“His all-round play, he’s very understated in the respect to that.

“He’s been outstanding and he finds himself out. And that tells you how good the Engels has been since he came in.

“And for a young man, he plays with an arrogance and a confidence which, when you’re playing for a Celtic or a Rangers, you have to have that and a belief in that.”

Bernardo’s importance to Celtic

Paulo Bernardo may not be the first pick for Brendan Rodgers at Celtic but the 22-year-old has already shown his importance to the team this season.

With seven appearances and one goal this season, Bernardo was superb in the wins over Hearts and Rangers at the start of the season.

Unlucky to be dropped to the bench after the arrival of Engels, the Portuguese now has a fight on his hands to win his place back in the team but that can only benefit Celtic.

With more quality players vying to start, performances will improve on the pitch which can only help lead to positive results and more entertaining football.

There is no doubt Bernardo will be a big player for Celtic this season. Now that Brendan Rodgers has strength in depth, he will get another chance to show that undoubted talent that he has.