Why scintillating Paulo Bernardo should be given Celtic nod over Reo Hatate in Dortmund

Paulo Bernardo had to wait his turn on MatchDay One. Heading to Dortmund, he's doing everything to be in the front of the queue this time around.

Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that everyone is part of this power-packed Celtic unit. But, clearly, all players want the starting nod. Bernardo didn't get first call against Slovan Bratislava with Reo Hatate chosen alongside Callum McGrgeor and Arne Engels. Rodgers' decision was bang on and could not be debated. His team hammered five goals and his engine-room starters were outstanding.

Bernardo played his part that night with a cameo role off the bench, but going out to Germany, he has seriously forwarded a compelling case to move up the chain. Of course, St Johnstone are not Borussia Dortmund, who will pose a far-stiffer examination. But Bernardo was scintillating against the Perth side. Chosen ahead of Hatate, every aspect of the game was on point.

Naturally, the 22-year-old caught attention with the stylish finish to cap his team's simply breathtaking second goal, especially given he'd also been part of the astounding nine-man, 11-pass build-up. Bernardo was also right there to head a third if Kyogo hadn't beaten him to Greg Taylor's cross and his own in-perfect delivery for Daizen Maeda's bullet-header fifth after a driving forward run was another piece of class.

He stamped his quality offensively, grafted relentlessly and then showed his versatility by slotting back to anchor in the closing stages with McGregor taken off. The skipper and Engels are surely nailed-on Dortmund starters and that leaves the choice between Bernardo and Hatate. It can't be an easy one. The thought of Hatate, with his wizardly talents, not starting in a Champions League crunch if fit says