"I hope he can enhance by the top of the season - that's the problem I've put to him, as a result of if he performs on a regular basis for Braga, subsequent season he might be able to play for a group like Braga or higher."
These have been the phrases of Carlos Carvalhal in January as he challenged rampaging Braga right-back Yan Couto to take his sport to the following degree.
And the 19-year-old has answered in form.
The Manchester Metropolis loanee's gorgeous strike within the 2-1 win over Portimonese was the newest indication he is trending in the correct course.
Couto - who excels at proper wing again - is primed and able to excel in opposition to Rangers of their mouthwatering Europa League quarter remaining.
However it will not be the jet-heeled Brazilian's first journey to Glasgow.
He was invited to soak up Celtic's 3-0 thumping over Jablonec again in August as Ange Postecoglou 's facet flashed the primary indicators they might be a group to be reckoned with this season.
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This go to to Parkhead got here amid Celtic's 'operation discover a proper again' - a search that linked Sacha Boey, Aurelio Buta, George Baldock and Brandon Soppy with Postecoglou's facet.
The Premiership title challengers stored their nerve and there would not be one supporter who would swap Josip Juranovic with any of the opposite names linked.
Mailsport revealed in August that Couto was eager on becoming a member of on a season long-loan from Manchester Metropolis however he ultimately plumped for Braga.
And it is understanding for Couto in addition to he sees his star rise with Braga, making 30 appearances have helped take his sport to the following degree.
His burgeoning type is ready to result in a key function in opposition to Rangers. It is set to be an enchanting tactical battle with Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst proving able to matching up in a 3-5-2 to trigger their opponents one thing to ponder.
Couto's stint with Braga is proving useful for each.
Carvalhal is ready to get the very best out of a participant who seems primed for a profession on the very high, whereas the Brazilian can sharpen his sport to show a viable possibility for Pep Guardiola long-term.
And the previous Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday boss believes that may be a lifelike goal for a participant he has challenged to marry defensive sensibilities with pure attacking swagger.
Chatting with the Manchester Night Information, Carvalhal mentioned: “He's higher offensively than defensively, and we try to enhance the defensive a part of his sport, and within the transitions additionally.
“He's doing higher. When he arrived, we modified him often as he was adapting to the group however lately he has been enjoying on a regular basis. We're proud of him, however we predict he can do higher.
“On the offensive facet, he's an excellent participant. He could make the distinction in our attacking dynamic, however he has to enhance to be a participant on the Manchester Metropolis degree.
“Pep Guardiola likes good gamers, and Yan has a superb relationship with the ball.
“I advised him that to play for Metropolis he must be excellent within the offensive organisation, and he's good. However he should even be good at defensive organisation, and he should enhance that.
“He's good at offensive transition, but additionally wants to enhance defensive transition to play at that degree. That is the problem, defensive organisation and defensive transition - he must be stronger at these to play at the very best degree.
“If you happen to ask me if he can do this sooner or later, I believe so, however he wants extra time for my part - or if, by the top of the season he has improved by that 30 per cent, now we have a whole participant.
“Proper now he is an efficient participant who has issues to enhance to play at a excessive degree."
Couto's final journey to Glasgow proved fleeting, nonetheless, Rangers and their teaching workers might be acutely conscious the Braga star make a sizeable influence upon his return.
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