Callum McGregor has urged Celtic to bring fellow midfielder Paulo Bernardo back to the club for next season, saying he is exactly the ‘profile’ of player that is needed.
Bernardo made a telling contribution in the Scottish Cup final from the bench on Saturday, driving forward from the middle of the park and getting a shot on target that was spilled by Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, allowing Adam Idah to follow in and score Celtic’s late winning goal.
He has also made a consistent contribution throughout the season, particularly when members of Brendan Rodgers’ preferred starting midfield trio in McGregor and Hatate had their injury issues, chipping in with four goals in his 33 appearances for the club.
His loan spell from Benfica has now come to an end, however, there is an option for Celtic to secure Bernardo on a permanent contract for a fee believed to be in the region of £6.5m, with the club bow discussing whether to activate that clause inserted into the deal last summer.
McGregor, for his part, would love to see the 22-year-old make a return to Celtic for next season, and the club captain is hopeful that his future will indeed be in Glasgow.
“Listen, he has been an important player for us – he has big technical quality, he is a young kid who wants to do well,” McGregor said.
“So, that is the type of profile we want at the club. Hopefully we can bring him back.
“He is a great lad as well. He works ever so hard, and he is a part of the group we have got.
“Obviously the club will decide in terms of what happens there, but that is certainly the profile that we want.
“You want hungry players who are technically good and can come and make an impact as well.”
