Brendan Rodgers should permanently drop Paulo Bernardo to the Celtic bench after the Portuguese midfielder’s erratic form for the team.
That’s the view from A Celtic State of Mind‘s, Brian Degnin at least.
Bernardo had been used primarily for Celtic’s Champions League fixtures at the beginning of the season as Brendan Rodgers struggled to find an ideal replacement for the injured Reo Hatate.
Bernardo did enjoy a purple patch of form around December time but, of late, he has found himself out of the team as Celtic enjoyed a mini-revival before the Hearts defeat at Tynecastle.
Degnin believes that the Portuguese must be left out of the team and has highlighted a Celtic B team player he would like the Celtic manager to play instead.
Daniel Kelly must be given his chance at Celtic
Degnin said, (A Celtic State of Mind), “I think Sunday’s a perfect opportunity, to be honest. I would have given him [Daniel Kelly] a start against Hearts.
“I would have put him in from the start. Because Bernardo’s an interesting character.
“It seems like he has loads of energy. I can see why he played in Europe because he looks athletic and tireless in midfield but I don’t see loads of quality.
“I’m not excited by him. I don’t really see a huge amount of what he’s offering other than that. So I don’t think it’s a huge gamble if we switched him for Kelly if I’m honest.
“I haven’t not been impressed with Bernardo but if we don’t sign him then it’s a shrug of the shoulders for me whereas Kelly is obviously going to be here next season.”
Young Kelly had a dream league debut at Celtic Park after scoring in the 7-1 win over Dundee after coming on as a second-half substitute for the injured Callum McGregor.
Impressing at youth level, it does look like Kelly has a bright future at Celtic and Rodgers will be well aware that playing him regularly will help to develop the youngster who is now looking to make his mark on the Celtic first-team.
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