Celtic's Midfield Struggles: Bernardo Sidelined for Five Weeks, Forrest Back in Training

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that midfielder Paulo Bernardo will be out of action for up to five weeks due to an ankle injury. The Portugal Under-21 international sustained the injury during last weekend's Scottish Cup victory over Raith Rovers, which also kept him out of the crucial 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-offs.

Player Updates:

• Paulo Bernardo: The young midfielder is expected to miss several weeks of action, including crucial matches in both the Scottish Premiership and the Champions League. "Paulo will be out for a few weeks. He's got his ankle in a boot, so maybe four or five weeks," said Rodgers. "He's done great for us this season, but unfortunately, he's out for a little while."

• James Forrest: On a positive note, winger James Forrest has returned to training after recovering from a foot injury sustained during the League Cup final win against Rangers in December. While Forrest is not yet ready for first-team action, his return to running is a promising sign for the squad.

Upcoming Challenges: With Bernardo sidelined, Rodgers will face challenges in rotating his midfield for the upcoming Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United and the second leg of the Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. "There are some positions that we'll freshen up," Rodgers stated. "The turnaround is so fast, and we know we'll have to be at a real high level physically for that game."

Managing Fatigue: Rodgers emphasized the importance of managing fatigue, especially with Celtic competing on multiple fronts. "Every game is important here. It's been a real unrelenting schedule, but the players have been brilliant," he added. "They know that dealing with fatigue comes with playing for a club that is competing for multiple trophies."

Looking Ahead: As Celtic prepares for a critical period in their season, the return of Forrest and the depth of the squad will be crucial. The team must maintain their physical and mental sharpness to continue their pursuit of silverware in both domestic and European competitions.