Yes, Celtic’s performance against Club Brugge in the Champions League in midweek was disappointing, but it’s still a healthy point for the team.
After scoring four goals at Tynecastle in one half last week, Celtic scored five goals in 45 minutes against Ross County on Saturday afternoon and walked to three points.
It means that the Bhoys have a five-point lead at the top of the Premiership table and they visit second-placed Aberdeen on Wednesday night.
Given the number of games Celtic have to deal with, it’s a huge chance for Brendan Rodgers to open up a cushion between himself and the rest of the league during these coming weeks.
If that happens, then the team can rotate more freely and concentrate more on making noises in the Champions League because knockout football awaits the champions post-Christmas.
One of the reasons that can happen is because of Celtic’s bench strength and Chris Sutton touched upon it after the thumping win over County.
Chris Sutton raves about Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan after Celtic thrash Ross County
From Reo Hatate to Nicolas Kuhn, they were all rested by Rodgers, yet it didn’t show in the performance as the team was just too strong for Ross County.
Luke McCowan produced a Man of the Match performance, whilst Paulo Bernardo was on the scoresheet again and proving why Celtic paid £3.5 million for his services this summer.
Sutton discussed the duo’s roles in the team and how there is an ‘argument’ amongst the fanbase about whether Bernardo should be starting more matches.
Added to that, the legendary striker explained how McCowan has been a ‘revelation’ since moving from Dundee and he is another example of the quality Rodgers has to call upon, as he told Sky Sports Football (01/12/24 at 11:10 am).
“McCowan, again, making an impact,” said Sutton. “He has been a revelation since he signed for Celtic. Maybe so (unlucky not to have more minutes). But Celtic’s strength in depth.
There is an argument amongst the Celtic supporters whether Bernardo should be starting more games than he is. I think it’s the time of year when the squad is stretched. Celtic are in a really good position that they have really good competition for places, especially in the middle of the park.
“Bernardo, when he has come on and had his little cameos, he has looked particularly sharp and took his goal well there. It was comfortable. I just wondered, after the draw against Brugge, whether there would be changes and how Celtic would respond. But the changes made the difference. I think we will see a lot of this – three games (a week) – chopping and changing from Brendan Rodgers.”
Bernardo’s stats for Celtic against Ross County
At the end of the day, Bernardo can only produce when handed the chance and do his talking on the field of play.
Yes, Arne Engels has struggled at times and it’s valid to suggest that the young Portuguese star should be starting more.
WhoScored rated Bernardo’s performance against Ross County at a very impressive 8.65.
But the hectic fixture list probably means Rodgers will be forced to rotate anyway, so last season’s loan star will be handed more chances.
It’s just a case of whether or not – for the big games – like Aberdeen away, the League Cup final and the Champions League, if Bernardo is the starter because he now has an argument that he should be starting alongside, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor
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