Paulo Bernardo reveals Fabio Silva rivalry is nothing new but Celtic star full of praise for loan Ranger

They have been brothers in arms for Portugal since making their international debuts together as schoolboys.

But Paulo Bernardo has had no problem putting his friendship with Fabio Silva on hold this past week as they prepare to face each other in Old Firm battle at Ibrox. Celtic midfielder Bernardo and Rangers striker Silva were side by side as recently as last month on a successful international break with Portugal’s Under-21s.

Both players were in scoring form as convincing victories over the Faroe Islands and Croatia kept the Portuguese firmly on course to qualify for next year’s Euro Under-21 finals in Slovakia. Even as they shared the joy of those wins, however, the duo were casting their minds forward to today’s massive showdown. The Old Firm clash at Ibrox could go a long way to deciding which one of them ends the Scottish season as league title winner.

Bernardo said: “We spoke to each other about it when we were playing for the national team last month. We were both saying it will be a good game. I want Celtic to win, Fabio wants Rangers to win – so let’s see.

“We have a good relationship. We spoke when he first arrived in Glasgow in January. Then we spoke again when we met up with the national team. But there has been no contact between us this last week. I don’t think we have shut down our friendship but it’s a great game and we are rivals. Off the pitch, me and Fabio are friends. But now we are just focused on the game.”

It’s not the first time Bernardo and Silva have been on opposite sides of a famous football divide. They were friends and rivals during their careers in youth football with Portugal’s big two Benfica and Porto.

Bernardo said: “We have known each other since Under-14 football. He played for