Pat Bonner revealed that he had to eat his words after witnessing a Celtic player shine in the recent 3-0 victory over Livingston.

In a match where a trio of second-half goals secured the win for Celtic, fans were thrilled to see Reo Hatate return to action following a lengthy injury layoff. While Hatate received much-deserved praise as the standout performer, it was Paulo Bernardo who caught Bonner’s eye with his impactful performance off the bench.

Described as ‘crucial’ in Celtic’s triumph, the Portuguese midfielder, who has been in and out of the squad, seized the opportunity to impress following Hatate’s return. Bernardo showcased his talent by scoring Celtic’s second goal of the match, proving critics wrong, including Bonner and his fellow BBC pundits.

Bonner remarked in the Scottish Football Podcast, “The team put in a strong effort, and Iwata in the midfield caught my eye as well. Hatate made a significant impact upon his return to the team.

“Bernardo’s performance off the bench was also impressive. His crucial goal, a well-placed strike low to the goalkeeper’s right-hand side, was pivotal in sealing the victory.”

During his 25+ minutes on the field, Bernardo displayed a commendable performance, earning a rating of 7.6 from Fotmob. In addition to his goal, he maintained a solid passing accuracy of 93% and contributed to Celtic’s attacking play by creating chances and completing successful dribbles.

Defensively, Bernardo was equally effective, showcasing his ability to recover possession, win duels, and make defensive contributions when needed. While his performance may not secure him a starting spot in the next match, Bernardo has proven himself as a valuable option off the bench for manager Brendan Rodgers.