Preferred Celtic midfielder identified by Top Flight Star

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Scottish Premier League star Andy Halliday has insisted that if he had to pick the strongest midfield trio for Celtic, he would include Paulo Bernardo ahead of record signing Arne Engels.

After spending last season on loan in Glasgow, the Bhoys secured a permanent deal for the Portuguese from Benfica this summer.

A month later, the club spent a record £11 million to sign Engels from Augsburg as a replacement for Matt O’Riley, who had left for Brighton days earlier.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has lined up the duo in the Celtic midfield, although Halliday, who has seen them up close while playing for Motherwell, believes Bernardo’s influence has been felt more than Engels’.

“For me, the strongest trio would include Paulo Bernardo”, Halliday continued Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard.

“I would include Paulo Bernardo over Arne Engels. He just had a good performance over the weekend there.

“But I think Paulo Bernardo has had a very good season for Celtic, probably not had the opportunities that Arne Engels has had.

“Arne Engels has been okay in recent weeks again, he obviously got the penalty for going against us on Boxing Day, had a good performance at the weekend there.

“But for me, I’ve impressed with Paulo Bernardo every time he’s worn the Celtic shirt.”

In the 17 games Bernardo has played in the league for Celtic, he has scored two goals and set up three more for his teammates.

Engels, on the other hand, has scored four goals – three of which have been from the spot.