There have been times over recent years when an Aberdeen team visiting Celtic Park have almost been treated with disdain, at least from the home supporters, rather than with any great respect for the challenge they may be bringing.
But not this time, with the Celtic players certainly taking the game today against Jimmy Thelin’s high-flying side seriously.
Paulo Bernardo left no room for doubt over that as he looked forward to the match, with the Celtic midfielder admitting that he and his teammates have been impressed by the run the Dons have put together at the start of the season.
He is determined though that their 13-game winning streak will be coming to an abrupt end at Celtic Park.
“It will be a difficult game, I think,” Bernardo said.
“They are playing very well. But we are a big club and the big clubs have to win.
“In these type of games, against the second placed team, they are really important for us as a team to step up in this championship this year. Because last season is over, it’s over. So, we need to do it again this year.
“I think it will be a great game. They are doing very well this year, and it will be great to play in and to watch.
“Now it’s Aberdeen and then it’s the Champions League match. So, we are focused on [them] and then we move on.”
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Bernardo goes into the game on a high after captaining Portugal’s under-21s to qualification for Euro 2025, scoring in the 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands that sealed their place at the tournament next summer.
“It was good,” he said.
“We qualified for the Euros, so it was really good.”
“It’s exciting. I already went to the one before and it was good, but there was a feeling that we could go further in the tournament.
“It’s really good to be the captain of the national team. I’m the second one, but sometimes I’m the first one too, and it’s really good.”
