CELTIC skipper Callum McGregor is convinced Paulo Bernardo can prove there is life after Matt O’Riley.
The Portuguese playmaker stepped into the Brighton-bound Danish international’s slot in the 3-0 win over at Mirren in Paisley at the weekend.
And the former Benfica prospect, signed for a fee of £3.5million on a five-year deal after last season’s impressive loan stint, is gearing up to face Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side in the first derby of the new season at Parkhead on Sunday.
The popular O’Riley sealed his near-£30million switch to the south coast club yesterday to open the door for Bernardo to play beside McGregor and Reo Hatate and form an impressive trio in the Hoops’ engine room.
BEST FOOT FORWARD…Paulo Bernardo fires a shot at goal as St Mirren’s Alex Gogic challenges.
The champions’ onfield leader has no doubts about the 22-year-old’s squalities and said: “Paulo is a very intelligent football player. He’s young, can develop, got loads to his game, can tackle, can defend and run, can pass the ball.
“He can do EVERYTHING.
“I really enjoyed playing alongside him last year. We lose Matty, but again, but it was another strong midfield performance from all three of us against the Saints.
“I thought Reo was sensational. So, yeah, we’re still good in that area. Hopefully, we can add maybe one or two more as well before the end of the week. That will give us a really strong midfield part of the team.”
McGregor, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Momentum is everything in football, and when you’re in a good moment, then you want to continue that for as long as possible.
“Sometimes when you get a wee purple patch, things seem to fall for you.
PICK IT OUT…Callum McGregor thumps Celtic into an early lead against St Mirren.
SAINTS AND WINNERS…Callum McGregor races away in triumph with Paulo Bernardo and Liam Scales looking on as Celtic head for a 3-0 victory in Paisley.
“We’ve started the season well, everybody’s connected and makes everyone’s job easier. I’ve chipped in a couple of goals, which is nice, but, for me, the main objective is to make sure the team is performing and the game looks the way we want it to look.”
With the new-look Champions League draw due on Thursday, McGregor commented: “It’s an exciting week, for sure.
“The bit for the players, especially, will be the game on Sunday, that will be our full focus and then we, as players, just have to let everything else fall into place.”
Despite toppling out of the Champions League at the first qualifying hurdle and firing blanks in the scoreless stalemate with Hearts at Tynecastle on the opening day of the campaign, Ibrox gaffer Clement is making optimistic noises ahead on the confrontation in the east end f Glasgow.
The Belgian watched his team wallop in six goals without reply against a poor Ross County team who had been knocked out of the League Cup by Spartans the previous week.
NET GAIN…Reo Hatate celebrates his strike for Celtic’s second goal against Saints.
Clement was upbeat after the one-sided encounter, but McGregor added: “It’s just talk, isn’t it? And talk’s cheap.
“Nothing really changes. Everyone knows how big the games are and when they come around you probably don’t need any added motivation for it.
“I think when you come to these games, especially at home, you have to try and maximise the emotion as much as you can. And, first and foremost, that means three points.
“And if you can match it with a strong performance, then of course, everybody, that would be the ideal world for everyone, but we know it’s never as easy as that.
“Rangers are a good side, obviously a really good result at the weekend, so we know it will be tough game.
“We have to give everything that we’ve got in the tank for the game and, hopefully, we can have a positive afternoon.”
