Celtic player openly disagrees with Manchester City's Rodri

Celtic will kick off their Champions League campaign by welcoming Slovan Bratislava to Parkhead on matchday 1 of the new format of Europe's top club competition. A lot of changes have been brought about. From now, teams will play eight games instead of six and all of them will be against different opposition.

At first glance, it feels like the luck of the draw has been on Celtic's side for a change. Of course, there are no easy games in the Champions League but the Hoops have certainly been handed a few winnable ones. At least on paper.

Not everybody is happy with the new format though. Quite a few Manchester City players have complained about the increasing schedule in recent times.

Rodri was the most recent to do so. But for Paulo Bernardo, it looks like the more games the merrier. As reported by the Daily Record, Celtic's Portuguese midfielder said regarding the matter:

"Yes, maybe they (older players) start to see things differently. I just want to play football – especially in the Champions League.

“They wanted to but their bodies and their legs must be tired because at a different age it can be difficult for them. At my age, almost all the players want to play as many games as they can. The new format is exciting for me and for the team because we have two more games in the competition and the Champions League is a level. I’m excited about the opportunity.

“I feel that way and I feel comfortable with the games that we have. We know that there are a lot and it will be difficult for us to be 100 per cent every game, I think it won’t happen. But if I can’t be at 100 per cent, I will be at 99 per cent."

Celtic player openly disagrees with Manchester City's Rodri

Celtic are set to play in the Champions League for the third straight season but one cannot forget how many consecutive years they failed to make the main stage of the competition before that. None of these nights should be taken for granted.

It is easy to understand why players like Bernardo must be happy to have a few more games in the Champions League. Firstly, it is an opportunity to experience something that does not come around often in most players' careers. Secondly, it is a chance to get some gametime as well.

Bernardo is someone who has never really been a regular starter anywhere. This might be his chance to make a midfield role his own at Celtic. The more games there are on the schedule, the more chances he can expect to get to prove himself.