PAULO BERNARDO was beaming after his ‘best day as a Celtic player so far’ as he helped his side to a crucial victory over Rangers.
The Portuguese midfielder hit a stunning opening goal for Celtic on the day for his second goal in two matches, and he was otherwise outstanding in the midfield engine room alongside Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley.
But the level-headed 21-year-old was keeping his feet on the ground, urging his teammates to immediately switch their focus to the game against St Mirren on Tuesday night.
“It was really good for my first game against Rangers,” Bernardo said.
“It was a really nice game to play in, the atmosphere was really good and I enjoyed it a lot. It’s probably my best day as a Celtic player so far!
“It was a great win for us and I was very happy to help the team with my goal. When the ball came to me I just remember shooting and the ball going into the net.
“I always believe I can score a goal and my mindset is always to help the team. I aim to do that with a goal and just with my performance.
“When I scored, the crowd went crazy and it was nice.
“I had two friends at the game, along with my girlfriend, and I think there will be people back home really happy for me because I scored. It was a really big day for my, my friends and family.
“But now the game is over and now we need to focus on the next game against St Mirren.
“It was a massive win for us. But we know that it doesn’t serve anything for us if we don’t win the next game.
“This win was really good, sure. But we have to stay focused for the next one.”
Despite his calm exterior after the game, Bernardo admits it was a nerve-shredding experience watching the closing stages of the match after he had been substituted off and Rangers had pulled a goal back.
“It is always tough when you go off and are not on the pitch,” he said.
“I am calm on the pitch because I can control some things.
“But off the pitch players don’t control anything.”
He is hoping his display against Rangers will result in much more time on the pitch for Celtic in the near future, as he looks to start his fourth game on the bounce at St Mirren after being in and out of the side since his arrival in the summer.
“All football players learn faster when we get game time,” he said.
“Therefore I think it’s nice for me to get more minutes.
“It was good for me but I am still a young player so I need to be patient and wait my moment.
“The coach makes his choices when it comes to who he plays in the team.
“For me, I can just work hard in the training sessions and keep going to make sure I give him the choice to pick me.”
Among the thousands of congratulatory messages Bernardo will no doubt receive over the next few days may be one from a former Portuguese hero around these parts.
“Will Jota message me?”, he said.
“I don’t know, we have talked before, but he is playing in another league in another country and he will be focused on that.”
