Loan bhoy Bernabei goes from strength to strength
PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL - AUGUST 4: Alexandro Bernabei of Internacional makes an attempt on target during the match between Internacional and Palmeiras as part of Brasileirao 2024 at Beira-Rio Stadium on August 4, 2024 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro H. Tesch/Getty Images)
Alexandro Bernabei helped Internacional into third place in Serie A Brazil as his loan team comfortably beat RB Bragantino 4-1.
With just three matches left to play and the top two clubs five points ahead Internacional’s winning surge looks like arriving a little too late to mount a genuine assault on winning the title.
Nevertheless the loan spell appears to have transformed the career of Bernabei who was barely mentioned as he letf Scotland in March without any commitment from Internacional beyond a loan deal that runs until next month.
Brendan Rodgers was lukewarm on Friday when asked about the form of the on loan defender, whether it is Internacional or another club it seems likely that another deal will be completed in the new year for Bernabei to remain in South America.
Alex Valle is now competing with Greg Taylor for the left-back slot, even though neither is committed to Celtic beyond the end of this season there are no signs of Bernabei reviving his Celtic career even though his contract runs until May 2028.