Celtic take on Club Brugge at Parkhead tomorrow and Brendan Rodgers has plenty of starting line-up calls to make ahead of the clash.
Evaluating the team who began the Bhoys’ victory over Hearts last Saturday, there aren’t too many obvious cases for removal ahead of another exciting Champions League night in Glasgow’s east end.
Brendan Rodgers fielded arguably his strongest starters at Tynecastle, albeit form can sometimes prove to be a deciding factor in who inevitably gets the nod.
Either way, the Irishman is never shy in switching things up when required. Keeping others on their toes is part and parcel of succeeding at Europe’s top table, which in short, means unpredictability is never a bad thing.
Looking ahead to Celtic’s clash against Club Brugge, Peter Grant believes there is one potential change that will simply be too appealing for Rodgers to refuse enacting.
Peter Grant thinks Paulo Bernardo starts for Celtic vs Brugge
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Grant believes Paulo Bernardo will be given the nod to start for Celtic at home to Brugge as Arne Engels looked jaded in his eyes at Tynecastle.
He explained: “As I said earlier on there, I thought Engels looked tired at the weekend I must admit. I don’t think he’s played as well.
“I still think he’s a very, very good player. He’s different from the other boys because he runs forward. Sometimes, it’s not seen, he runs forward into the box really well, and he picks up good positions, but his passing is a little bit off just now.
That was excellent at the start, I’m a big fan of Bernardo, I think he will start Bernardo, I’ve got a funny feeling he’s going to go with Bernardo, Hatate and McGregor, I’ve just a funny feeling on that because I just think Brendan’s going like that, he done it with Hatate when he was a little bit off, he left him out.
“It’s the best thing that’s happened to him because I think Hatate’s been unbelievable. I think Bernardo, he’s never let us down and I’ve just got a funny feeling that he will start with Bernardo, Hatate and McGregor.”
Paulo Bernardo would be worth a start for Celtic
Although Bernardo has featured in 18 matches this season, he hasn’t started as much as forecast since joining permanently from Benfica during the summer.
Nevertheless, he has always had a meaningful contribution when called upon, as witnessed on Saturday via his intelligent approach play to tee up Adam Idah’s goal at Tynecastle.
Should he be given the jersey, Bernardo is more than capable of delivering on the continental stage for Celtic on a night where they could secure a prolonged path in Europe’s premier competition.
