PAULO BERNARDO played a pivotal role in Celtic’s Scottish Cup Final success over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at Hampden last season.
It was the Portuguese ace, a 79th-minute substitute for Reo Hatate, who paved the way for the tense encounter’s only goal when he picked up a ball in the middle of the park, sidestepped a challenge from Nico Raskin and took off in the general direction on the opponents’ goal.
Bernardo powered forward before unleashing a swerving, dipping drive from outside the box that totally flummoxed Jack Butland.
The frantic keeper could only push the ball to the side and Adam Idah raced in to fire the silverware clincher into the net.
THE GLORY RUN…Paulo Bernardo prepares to leave Nico Raskin in his slipstream as he takes off on a powerful sprint.
THE GLORY GOAL…Adam Idah pounces with the Scottish Cup winner after keeper Jack Butland had failed to hold Paulo Bernardo’s shot.
It was eye-catching stuff from Bernardo in the lead-up and convinced the Hoops hierarchy to pay £3.5million to Benfica in the summer to convert his loan deal to a permanent one.
The 23-year-old midfielder is clearly not one to dwell on past deeds as he prepares for a return to the national stadium tomorrow to face Aberdeen in the showpiece occasion.
Bernardo said: “It’s a big game and it’s a Final, so everyone wants to play.
“Last season’s Cup Final was really good, but that’s in the past now.
“This year is completely different. It’s a different opponent with a different style of play.
“I think we have improved from last season, too. So, we’re also different. I think it will be a great game for us.”
Bernardo, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I have watched last year’s winning goal back a few times. It was a positive moment for me and a great memory.
HAMPDEN HEROES…Paulo Bernardo holds aloft the newly-won Premier Sports League Cup as Celtic celebrate their penalty-kick shoot-out triumph over Rangers in December.
“I hope it can be another great memory this year.
”A treble is something that I have never experienced, so I think that would be amazing. That is something I want to achieve.
“I am still young, and I can achieve that here at this big club. So, I will do my best to try and do that this weekend.”
Bernardo added: “As Celtic, we always want to win every trophy that we play in.
“We always want to win every game, and with that, we can win titles. Everyone wants to win titles and Celtic is a really big club which does that.
“The manager will pick the team as he always does with what he thinks is best.
“I will always do my best to try and get that opportunity. Whoever he picks is the right choice, so we just need to work no matter who is starting or coming off the bench, and we will do our all.”
