Paulo Bernardo is eyeing up Matt O’Riley’s place in the Celtic midfield, whether his teammate leaves the club this summer or not.
The Portuguese midfielder sealed a permanent return to the champions last week on a five-year deal after a largely successful loan spell last season, and wants to earn his place in Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI on a more regular basis than he managed last term.
Whether that means dislodging the likes of O’Riley from the midfield trio, or stepping up to replace the Danish international should one of his many suitors manage to prise him away from Celtic Park, Bernardo is certain he is capable of doing so.
“I don't know what will happen,” Bernardo said.
“I'm here to do my job and if he stays or not, I want to take the place, that's it.
“I feel I will work for sure and get my opportunities too.”
Bernardo was hugely impressed by the way O’Riley took his game to another level last season under Rodgers, markedly increasing his tally of goals and assists to become a consistent contributor for Celtic in attack, and he hopes he will be able to emulate that sort of productivity in the coming campaign.
“That's my goal, to level up the numbers and I think all the players want that,” he said.
“I feel the sky is the limit, I always live that way.”
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The Celtic fans have a good idea of the qualities that Bernardo can bring to their side after his loan spell, but he feels he can bring even more to the table than he showed last season.
Last week, Celtic captain Callum McGregor stressed the importance of his teammates showing leadership, for example, and Bernardo hopes to help drive the dressing room by becoming a member of that leadership group.
“I got to be a captain in the 21s from Portugal so it was really nice to be in that position,” he said.
“I think I have this leadership in me. Now that I come back - and it was not just one season - I know my teammates well now. I can improve myself too.
“My manager in Portugal says that every player has to be a captain and the armband is only like a representative for the team. Every player has to be a captain.
“I think Callum is a great captain and for me he's the best leader that I've had before. But he can call for more players to do that, to help him.”
