FED THE BER

Grant is sure Old Firm hero Paulo will improve with every game after being impressed right from the off with Portuguese midfield battler

- CRAIG SWAN

PAULO BERNARDO rocketed into the Celtic limelight to set himself up perfectly for part two of the campaign.

But as far as Peter Grant is concerned the quietly-achieving Portuguese has been impressing since he first started at Parkhead.

Following a first Celtic goal to set up a win at Dundee, the 21-year-old's Old Firm goal and sparkling showing pushed him to prominence.

Bernardo backed it up with a couple of excellent assists in the win over St Mirren to ensure the champions took their eight-point lead into the current Premiership hibernation.

He has grasped his big chance and with Reo Hatate at the Asian Cup is primed to pick up where he left off starting against Buckie on Sunday.

Grant had no doubts over Bernardo even before the big burst having eyed his earlier displays and the centenary double winner said:

"Bernardo was going about his business quite quietly but as an ex-midfielder and looking at the game as a coach checking for strengths and I was weaknesses, impressed.

"You see a game differently when watching a player in a position you used to play yourself, so I'd be thinking, 'How do Celtic want him to play? How's he going to press? What are they looking at for that position on that day?