Former Celtic star Kenny Dalglish is backing Alexandro Bernabei to be a Parkhead smash hit after securing his £3.5m switch form Lanus.
The Scottish football icon concedes every transfer comes with a risk factor, however, the 71-year-old has been blown away by manager Ange Postecoglou's uncanny knack to strike gold in the signing market. And he believes the 21-year-old left-back fits the profile under the Australian. Celtic's Premiership title win was forged upon the players Postecoglou identified in the transfer window - with Kyogo, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers turning heads, as well as Joe Hart, Josip Juranovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
And Dalglish is convinced healthy competition at left back with Greg Taylor will only enhance Celtic ahead of their return to the Champions League. Speaking to the Sunday Post. he said: "The fans all wanted Jota to commit his long-term future to their club, and he duly obliged with his £6.5 million transfer from Benfica. After his loan spell last season, everybody is aware of what he is capable of. The Portuguese is a match winner and an entertainer.
"He has an end product, and that’s what makes him such an asset to Ange Postecoglou’s team, and the fans desperate to see him. With Jota’s arrival, the Hoops’ spending topped £10m, following the signing of Alexandro Bernabei. The 21-year-old left-back has signed from Argentinian side Lanus, and arrives with a fine reputation.
"He has been on Celtic’s radar for several months, and there is a feeling that he is going to be an excellent addition to the squad. Ange had wanted to strengthen that area of the team, and it’s now between Alexandro and Greg Taylor to battle it out. All managers want competition for places, and the Celtic boss is no different. Greg was excellent for the Parkhead club last season, and more than played his part as they won the title and the League Cup."
Dalglish admits he never found himself travelling across the world to further his own career, but thinks Bernabei has found the perfect club to take his career to the next level. And the Liverpool legend reckons skipper Callum McGregor will be integral in making sure it proves to be a smooth transition.
He added: "However, some players just can’t settle, and that is unfortunate. The club and the individual can give it their all, but it doesn’t click. That, though, hasn’t happened under Ange at Celtic. Just about every one of his signings has produced, and made a worthwhile contribution.
"From Kyogo Furuhashi to Cameron Carter-Vickers to Joe Hart and Liel Abada, they have all looked the part, and been fantastic value for money. Celtic supporters will be hoping Alexandro is another name that will be quickly added to that lengthy list, even though he’s 7,000 miles from home. I never had to move to the other side of the world to play football. When I left Celtic, it was just a few miles down the road to Liverpool.
"But I guess it will present different challenges for Alexandro, and the lad has to overcome them. What he won’t have to worry about is not being looked after by the football club. Off the park, everything will be in place for him to succeed. They will show him nice properties to look at, open bank accounts and recommend coffee shops and restaurants.
"The players will make him feel welcome, and it will be good for him to be away at the training camp in Austria for 10 days or so to really bond. He will befriend them all, and build a close bond with two or three of them. That’s what usually happens. I’m sure Callum McGregor will make sure all of the new signings have to go through their “initiation” and choose their karaoke song, or whatever. That’s all good fun, and brings the lads closer together."
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