These coming weeks are going to be huge for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers in their preparations to defend their Scottish Premiership crown.
The Bhoys have already begun pre-season, starting with a 1-1 draw against Scott Brown’s Ayr United to get the blood flowing and the minutes in the legs.
But you feel the squad Rodgers selected for that opening match might just be far different from when Celtic begin their league campaign against Kilmarnock on August 4.
Of course, a few players are still away on holiday after Euro 2024 commitments, as well as other international fixtures, but the transfer market is expected to shake things up, including talk around Hyeongyu Oh.
Celtic fans want the club to bring back Adam Idah from Norwich City and he has been the talk of the window so far.
It’s no surprise given how well he performed following his loan deal in January, which included a crucial stoppage-time winner against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final.
But he isn’t the only loan signing who impressed and won over many hearts during his time at Parkhead.
Midfielder Paulo Bernardo, who spent the season in Glasgow from Benfica, also impressed, including scoring against Rangers during the New Year game and his shot leading to the Idah goal in the final.
Simon Donnelly wants his former side to bring back Bernardo on a permanent basis, on top of Idah, and he feels the 22-year-old did enough to earn that long-term contract, as he told Clyde 1.
Yes, Bernardo might not have earned those regular starts in his debut season, but Donnelly feels there is a reasonable explanation behind it all and he still contributed with important goals.
Celtic backed to secure Paulo Bernardo’s transfer
“I think Bernardo has shown enough last season, maybe he didn’t get enough game time as he would have liked,” said Donnelly.
“Again, it’s quite a strong area that Celtic midfield. I know Hatate was out for a little bit this season as well. I think Bernardo didn’t let anybody down when he played. He showed enough, He popped up at Dens Park with an important goal.
“A young lad finding his feet. He would be another one (after Adam Idah) that I would like to see hang about. Still a relatively young lad, coming to a team like Celtic and finding that strong area of the pitch. The strongest three would be O’Riley, McGregor and Hatate. You are trying to displace these guys and take your chance when you come in. I would like to see him hang about. There is something there.”
Brendan Rodgers can take Paulo Bernardo to the next level
Throughout Rodgers’ career on the touchline, he has shown a great ability to work well with young players and get the best out of them.
Even someone like Matt O’Riley, who was already showing strong performances before Rodgers arrived, went to even higher heights under the Irishman.
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You feel Bernardo could do the same if he decides to make the switch to Celtic this summer.
Plus, if O’Riley does leave given the strong transfer interest in him, yes, he will be replaced, but you will still have a player in Bernardoo who is already settled at the club and can come in by also helping to fill that void alongside others.
The post ‘Another one’: Simon Donnelly backs Celtic to sign 22-year-old alongside Adam Idah appeared first on HITC.
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