Instrumental. Showcasing leadership. Consistent performances. Clockwork. Long-lasting battery.

These are words and phrases attributed to Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo by various Portuguese media outlets after his latest starring role for the Portugal under-21 side. Bearing in mind Rui Jorge's men have already qualified for the UEFA under-21 European championships to be held in Slovakia next summer.

Bernardo continues to dazzle on the younger international scene. He sports the captain's armband with aplomb and his latest counter for Portugal in their comeback 3-1 win away to the 2025 UEFA European Championships host nation - where he netted the final goal - was his 10th strike in 28 international matches. That's a fine return for a player who is still fighting to become a regular in Brendan Rodgers's Celtic midfield.

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The 22-year-old knows his opportunity will come in Glasgow's east end soon enough. It is going to have to as the champions are strapping themselves in for what Brendan Rodgers deemed an 'ultramarathon'. It's a word that has already entered the Scottish football lexicon after the Irishman coined following Celtic's 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park before the international break.

Starting with Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday evening, the men in green and white will play a mammoth 18 games in 67 days which will take them up until the end of February. Rodgers said: "We come back to the absolute ultramarathon spell where every single player will be needed. It’s so exciting.

"Just look at the games between now and February. There’s no rest. There’s no breather. But we’re fit and ready for it. We’ll keep working, keep developing the players."

If you know your history this is where Bernardo comes alive. Well, he certainly did this time last year. Rodgers will be hoping that Bernardo sticks to his festive tradition of having a stormer when the Yuletide fixtures roll around. He announced himself to the Celtic supporters last Boxing Day with a breakout performance against Dundee in a 3-0 win at Dens Park as he claimed his first goal for the club. Four days later it got even better as he notched a priceless first-ever strike against Rangers in a 2-1 Scottish Premiership win at Parkhead.

It was a stunning half-volley from the edge of the box that went in like a bullet even in slow motion. It was a breathtaking goal considering the technique involved in its execution. Three days later he followed that display up with an unplayable performance in Paisley as Rodgers's rampant Celtic swept St Mirren aside 3-0 as he provided two quality assists for Matt O'Riley and Greg Taylor.

He capped a personal purple patch off with a sumptuous goal in the 5-0 rout of Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup at the end of January to more or less seal his passport back to G40. It was then and there that Rodgers and the Celtic hierarchy decided that Bernardo would not return to parent club Benfica in the summer as all parties worked hard to secure his services on a bargain £3.5 million deal.

You can see exactly why Rodgers was keen to bring Bernardo back into the Celtic first-team fold. He is a graduate of one of the most highly prestigious academies in European football. His two goals from 17 appearances this season in all competitions do not do his all-round contribution to the team cause thus far justice.

(Image: Alan Harvey - SNS Group)

Many Celtic fans believe that in Bernardo they possess a genuine talent that is the real deal. Lots of supporters reckon Bernardo should start more often. He has been an amazing and impactful player whenever he has come off the bench for Celtic. There is even a school of thought that suggests Celtic are more direct when he plays.

Bernardo has also been lauded on social media as a superstar in the making. His consistent performances on the club and international stage have certainly showcased his potential and capacity to excel and shine at the highest levels of the game. Celtic does possess a belter of a player. Rodgers seems to think so. It won't be long before Bernardo is unleashed once again in the Celtic midfield and enjoys an extended run of games.

It is why Celtic dug their heels in over the summer months and it took so long to get a deal over the line. All parties got a satisfactory outcome.  Just as German national team head coach boss Julian Nagelsmann revealed they were keeping tabs on Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn who has been in irresistible form for Celtic this season with 10 goals and 11 assists in 17 outings this term. Nagelsmann said: "Nicolas Kühn is also a good player with a lot of desire. He’s someone we’re keeping an eye on."

If that is the case with Kuhn then the same rules must surely apply in this instance to Bernardo. Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez will be well aware of what Bernardo is doing at the under-21 level as well as how well he is performing whenever he gets the chance domestically and in the Champions League with Celtic.

When Bernardo made his breakthrough at Benfica, his then-youth boss Renato Paiva branded him one of the 'future stars of the club'. That didn't quite materialise in his homeland as Bernardo made only 17 appearances for The Eagles. That's not to say he won't fulfil his international destiny with Celtic. It was this time last year when Rodgers said this of Bernardo. “He’s such a mature player for a young player. He’s always had a great attitude at training.”

Celtic captain Callum McGregor also showered him with high praise during the club's summer pursuit. McGregor said: "Listen, Paulo has been an important player for us – he has [great] technical quality and is a young kid who wants to do well. So that is the type of profile we want at the club.

"He is a great lad as well. He works ever so hard and he is a part of the group we have got. He is certainly the profile that we want. You want hungry players who are technically good and can come and make an impact as well.”

Nothing has changed in terms of Bernardo and his development. If anything he is a much better player now than he was 12 months ago under Rodgers. With his 10th goal in 28 Portugal under-21 matches, Bernardo is not flying under the radar.

At this rate, Bernardo may well have timed his run back into Rodgers's starting XI perfectly. How does Hearts away at Tynecastle this weekend for starters grab you? Remember, Rodgers is going to need every single player for the 'ultramarathon' coming up. Bernardo has form, especially form during the festive period.

An instrumental player who showcases leadership, a consistency in performance, runs like clockwork and has a long-lasting battery. In keeping with the festive theme that sounds very much like a club and international midfield player of Christmas present and future to me, doesn't it?