Loan boy Bernabei is transformed into goal machine!

Alexandro Bernabei was on the scoresheet again as Internacional won 3-1 away to Atletico Mineiro.

The loan Celt put his side 2-0 in front in the 40th minute with his second goal in two weeks, playing in a more advanced role with less defensive responsibilities.

Bernabei appears to have become a real favourite of the Internacional support with a few months left to run on his loan deal.

Agreeing terms on a permanent move to match the Celtic contract that runs until May 2028 could be difficult to negotiate but there seems little doubt that the player’s form and reputation has been transformed for the better since returning to South America.

It seems that playing as an attack-minded wing-back is suiting Bernabei far better than the inverted full-back system deployed by Celtic.

Signed in the summer of 2022 to provide competition and cover for Greg Taylor, Celtic’s first Argentinian signing showed some promise although rough edges were obvious.

Brendan Rodgers was less of a fan, Bernabei was left out of Celtic’s Champions League squad with a loan move agreed although it left Taylor as the only natural left-back at the club.

Whether it is Internacional or another Brazilian club it seems certain that the 24-year-old’s future will be in South America with Celtic hoping to get back a chunk of the £3m fee that they paid to Lanus.

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Na velocidade, Bernabei antecipou a marcação para sofrer o pênalti que abriu o placar. Logo depois, o gringo ampliou com ?? ???????. Por fim, meu 2?6? foi garçom do gol de Tabata. ??

Seguimos, HERMANO! ????? pic.twitter.com/pzETGn8fBi

— Sport Club Internacional (@SCInternacional) October 27, 2024