Celtic’s ‘Best Player in Training’

Inside info from Lennoxtown doesn’t come out often, but when it does, it always sparks a bit of chat.

Andy Halliday has shared an interesting one revealing who he’s been told is Celtic’s best player in training.

The former Rangers man was talking about the levels at big clubs when the conversation turned to Celtic. He said he’d asked someone close to the squad who stood out the most, and the answer caught him by surprise.

Most fans would probably expect names like Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, or Daizen Maeda to come up. Instead, Halliday was told it’s Paulo Bernardo, the midfielder who’s barely had a look-in under Brendan Rodgers this season.

It’s an eye-opener, especially with how little Bernardo has played in 2025/26. The comment adds a bit of intrigue to the ongoing chat about his future and what he might be showing behind the scenes.

He said: (Open Goal),  “Here’s one for you, and I’ll not name a name.

“I asked somebody who Celtic’s best player is in training and they said Paulo Bernardo.“

For a player struggling for minutes, it’s high praise and maybe a sign that there’s more to Bernardo than fans have seen so far. Those behind-the-scenes comments suggest the Portuguese midfielder is impressing daily, even if it hasn’t yet translated into regular starts.

It also backs up whispers from within the club that Rodgers rates Bernardo’s technical ability and professionalism, even if competition in midfield has kept him on the fringes.

If Bernardo really is the standout performer at Lennoxtown, it’s only a matter of time before supporters see that level in matches. For now, though, it’s a reminder that Celtic’s training ground is stacked with talent still waiting for a proper chance to shine.