The 11 words keeping Celtic stars motivated as Paulo Bernardo reveals 'big' personal target he's finally hitting

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There are times when it seems like a skoosh to play for Celtic but Paulo Bernardo insists fans shouldn’t be fooled.

It takes a heck of a lot of hard work to make it look so easy. The Hoops blew Ross County away on Saturday with another show of Premiership power. The game was done by half time and it sent the goal difference rocketing again. Celts have blasted 40 in just 13 league games and even Brendan Rodgers rotating his side ends up with familiar results. But don’t say it’s been a breeze for the champions.

Bernardo said: “We play at a high level so we need to be playing every game at that high level. We don’t have easy games – we make the games look easy. That phrase is our motivation for these games. We need to look at every game the same way. We’re playing in the Champions League but we have to win the league.

“Every game is very important to us and we have to do it from the first whistle. What we show on the pitch is the work that we do in training and in our analysis of our game. We try to always play the best football and we try to show the fans that we are a very good team by playing football that is really good to watch too.

“It was a really good game for us. We got the three points which is our objective every game, we scored five goals and we didn’t concede. So it was very good for us as a team.”

Rodgers drafted in six new faces on Saturday and still strolled it. Bernardo was in the thick of it, with a cool goal and an impressive all-round display on the back of a recent fans push for his increased involvement.

The Portugal Under-21 captain tries to ignore the noise and focus on making an impact when the call comes. Bernardo said: “I try to not focus on that (talk from fans). I try to do my best in the games and in training to show that I can play from the start. The manager makes his choices and I have to respect them and try to do my best when I can.

"Every game is a chance to do the right thing. I’m happy with my performances so far but I still think I can do better. It’s just about hard work in training to have these opportunities in the games. We have a lot of quality. I think every player deserves to have an opportunity and when we have the opportunities we have to show to the coach that he can trust us. We did really well on Saturday and I’m proud of the game we produced.”

Bernardo replaced Arne Engels in the side and he had some words of advice and encouragement for the Belgian, who is still finding his feet following his blockbuster summer move. The 22-year-old has been in a similar position, trying to adapt to a new team and country – while attempting to win over fans.

Bernardo said: “Some players need a little bit more time. I needed a little bit. I think the coach understands that and gives us time to do the right things first and then to have an opportunity. Today I think I’m better than the day I arrived last season. I’m happy and I think the coach understands that I’m better this year than I was when I came in last year.”

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What makes him better? It’s back to the hard graft and a determination to follow the example of another Celtic star midfielder. Bernardo said: “I am scoring more goals this year than last year. Was that a big target for me? Yes. I think every player wants to score goals. I’m an offensive midfielder.

“I look at Matt O’Riley last season as an example. He scored a lot of goals and I’m trying to get (big) numbers too. I did well but I think I can do even better. It’s just one game.”

It helps when his manager encourages – or demands even – his midfield men weigh in with their fair share. The central three all notched on Saturday, with Luke McCowan and Callum McGregor also on the scoresheet, along with Adam Idah and Liam Scales, who sparked the five goal rout.

Bernardo said: “The coach always tells every midfielder to get in the box because things can happen like on Saturday when my goal was from a second ball in the box. If I make runs into the box, I can have these balls to catch up and shoot from. He encourages that.

“I think every player that scores a lot of goals is worth a lot of money. I’m not focused on the money. I’m just focused on playing and doing the right things. I think the goals will come with time. Any player who scores a lot of goals is very valuable to a team. So I try to score goals.”

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