Alexandro Bernabei eyes Celtic door of opportunity as Brendan Rodgers 'speaks to the heart' vow supports fan hype

He's started to build some fan momentum - and Brendan Rodgers removing some Celtic communication worries could be a reason why.

Alexandro Bernabei was tipped for big things when arriving from Lanus last summer but the Argentine was unable too dislodge Greg Taylor out of Ange Postecoglou's Treble-winning side, and talk of a Kieran Tierney return do little to boost his Parkhead chances. But a driving run and skill to set up a Liel Abada goal during Saturday's 4-1 friendly win over Portimonense has some fans boarding the Bernabei hype train, with a key boss factor looming into view.

The newly-appointed Celtic gaffer is fluent in Spanish, and back in 2019, spoke of his methods to get chatting with Marian Shved when one couldn't speak Ukrainian and the other couldn't speak English. He said: "A lot of players are surprised [I speak Spanish] because normally us British people are a bit insular that way. Young Marian, the player we signed from Ukraine, was a great example of what language can do.

"He didn’t speak English, I didn’t speak Ukrainian, but we could speak Spanish because he had two years at Sevilla. I always think if you speak to someone in their second language you speak to their head.

"If you speak in their first you speak to their heart. I’ve always try to let players see I can try to communicate.”

That language barrier being removed has been picked up online. One fan said: "Alexandro Bernabei bedding time and support took longer, BR is able to speak Spanish... I expect a settled player who will improve under BR."

Another pointed out that "Rodgers does improve players even those who seem like forgotten men" and other insisted "not easy a young boy going away from home. Sometimes takes a year to settle.: Further